Cooperation-based sperm clusters mediate sperm oviduct entry and fertilization

作者：Yongcun Qu, Qi Chen, Shanshan Guo, Chiyuan Ma, Yonggang Lu, Junchao Shi, Shichao Liu, Tong Zhou, Taichi Noda, Jingjing Qian, Liwen Zhang, Xili Zhu, Xiaohua Lei, Yujing Cao, Wei Li, Wei Li, Nicolas Plachta, Martin M. Matzuk, Masahito Ikawa, Enkui Duan, Ying Zhang, Hongmei Wang · 发表于：Protein & Cell · 年份：2021 · DOI：10.1007/s13238-021-00825-y · 被引用次数：33 · 研究领域：Neuroendocrine regulation and behavior、Sperm and Testicular Function、Reproductive Biology and Fertility

Sperm cooperation has been observed in multiple species (Pizzari and Foster, 2008), yet its existence and benefit for reproductive success in mammals remains underexplored. Here, combining tissue-clearing with deep three-dimensional (3D) imaging, we demonstrate that postcopulatory mouse sperm congregate into unidirectional sperm cooperative clusters at the utero-tubal junction (UTJ), a key physical barrier for passage into the oviduct. Reducing sperm number in male mice by unilateral vasoligation (Uni-Vas) or busulfan-treatment impairs sperm cluster formation and oviduct entry. Interestingly, Tex101−/− male mouse produce normal sperm number, motility and morphology, yet their sperm cannot form clusters and fail to pass through the UTJ, which is at least in part due to the altered tail beating pattern of the Tex101 null sperm. Moreover, Tex101 null sperm’s defect in oviduct entry cannot be rescued by the presence of wild-type (WT) sperm in the same uteri by sequential mating, suggesting sperm cooperative cluster as an essential behavior contributing to male fertility.