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Semin Thromb Hemost 2007; 33(1): 029-040
DOI: 10.1055/s-2006-958459
Copyright © 2007 by Thieme Publishers, Inc., 333 Seventh Avenue, New York, NY 10001, USA.

Involvement of Plasminogen Activator and Plasminogen Activator Inhibitor Type 1 in Spermatogenesis, Sperm Capacitation, and Fertilization

Yi-Xun Liu1
  • 1State Key Laboratory of Reproductive Biology, Institute of Zoology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, China
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Publication History

Publication Date:
29 January 2007 (online)

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ABSTRACT

Increasing evidence suggests that local fibrinolysis generated by plasminogen activator (PA) and modulated by plasminogen activator inhibitor type 1 (PAI-1) is essential for mammalian spermatogenesis, sperm capacitation, and fertilization. Tissue-type PA (t-PA), urokinase-type PA (u-PA), and PAI-1 have been reported in the testes of various animals. Sertoli cells within the seminiferous epithelium are believed to play a central role in the control and maintenance of spermatogenesis by producing regulatory factors, including PA/PAI-1. Fertilization is a unique and exquisitely choreographed cellular interaction between male and female gametes, in which some basic biochemical mechanisms remain unresolved. A key issue is the molecular basis of sperm-egg recognition, binding, and penetration. Sperm capacitation and the acrosomal reaction appear to rely on local fibrinolysis generated by the PA/PAI-1 system. Ejaculated spermatozoa from various species carry u-PA activity. The u-PA receptor (uPAR) and the inhibitor PAI-1 have also been reported to bind on the sperm membrane surface. Thus, it is possible that uPAR and PAI-1 function in a counterbalanced and coordinated way on the surface of spermatozoa to regulate the u-PA binding capacity. This review summarizes evidence for the involvement of PA/PAI-1 system in spermatogenesis, sperm capacitation, and fertilization.

KEYWORDS

Tissue-type plasminogen activator - plasminogen activator inhibitor type 1 - spermatogenesis - capacitation - fertilization

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Professor Yi-Xun Liu

State Key Laboratory of Reproductive Biology, Institute of Zoology, Chinese Academy of Sciences

Beijing 100080, China

Email: liuyx@ioz.ac.cn

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