Centrosomal Functions in Male Reproductive Systems
Summary
Centrosomes, comprising a pair of centrioles surrounded by pericentriolar material, are central organisers of microtubules in eukaryotic cells and play specialised roles in the male germ line. During spermatogenesis, centrioles direct the assembly of the flagellum’s axoneme, ensure accurate partitioning of genetic material and contribute to head–tail coupling via the connecting piece. In mature spermatozoa, both the proximal centriole and an atypical distal centriole are delivered to the oocyte, where they reconstitute the zygote’s first functional centrosome, driving pronuclear migration and cleavage. Structural and compositional remodelling of centrioles during spermiogenesis, including formation of the centriolar adjunct, fine-tunes sperm competence. Abnormalities in centriole number, architecture or protein composition have emerged as under-appreciated causes of male subfertility and idiopathic infertility. Advances in high-resolution imaging and biomarker analysis now permit quantitative assessment of centriole integrity, paving the way for novel diagnostics and targeted therapies that address paternal contributions to reproductive success.
Research from Nature Portfolio
Recent studies in bovine models have established that quantifying centriolar biomarkers in sperm correlates with fertilisation rates in artificial insemination programmes. A ratiometric fluorescence assay revealed that altered distribution of tubulin modifications at the proximal and distal centrioles is tightly associated with unexplained subfertility, suggesting a sensitive diagnostic tool for veterinary and agricultural applications. In human fertilisation research, detailed ultrastructural analysis has elucidated the composition of an atypical distal centriole surrounded by rods of luminal proteins and pericentriolar material. Functional assays demonstrate that this remodelled centriole recruits material to form a daughter centriole and localises to the mitotic spindle pole, confirming its indispensable role in zygote development and offering new targets for therapeutic intervention in male infertility.
Centrosomal Functions in Male Reproductive Systems publication trend
The graph below shows the total number of articles in centrosomal functions in male reproductive systems across all publications each year (not limited to Nature Index journals).
Technical terms
Centrosome: The principal microtubule-organising centre in animal cells, formed by two centrioles surrounded by pericentriolar material.
Centriole: A cylindrical structure composed of microtubule triplets; in sperm, the proximal centriole and an atypical distal centriole regulate flagellar assembly and zygote centrosome formation.
Pericentriolar material (PCM): A matrix of proteins that surrounds centrioles and nucleates microtubule growth.
Axoneme: The central microtubule core of the sperm flagellum responsible for motility, organised by centrioles.
Centriolar adjunct: A transient microtubular structure associated with the proximal centriole during spermiogenesis that must disassemble for normal sperm function.
References
- Abnormal centriolar biomarker ratios correlate with unexplained bull artificial insemination subfertility: a pilot study. Scientific Reports (2023).
- A novel atypical sperm centriole is functional during human fertilization. Nature Communications (2018).
- The Centriolar Adjunct–Appearance and Disassembly in Spermiogenesis and the Potential Impact on Fertility. Cells (2019).
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