The complexity of the cytoskeleton in spermiogenesis

Abstract

The spermatid cytoskeleton forms intricate structures. Spermatogenesis is a complicated process that combines proliferation, meiosis and finally differentiation of the haploid cell, called roud spermatid. The last part or this process or spermiogenesis is the transformation of the round spermatid into elongated spermatid by several structural modifications: the biogenesis of the acrosome, the nuclear compaction, the formation of the flagellum, the mitochondrial reorganization and the elimination of almost the entire cytoplasm. The cytoskeleton of the spermatid is key in this total reorganization; a network of microtubules and microfilaments whose assembly, organization and interaction are crucial for obtaining the functional male gamete. These are described structures, but, today, there are many unknown aspects about the transport, polarization, organization and relationship that they establish among themselves. They are the trans-Golgi network for the formation of the acrosome, the manchette, the acroplaxoma, the head-tail coupling apparatus (HTCA) and the axoneme of the spermatid. Infertility has become a priority of public health and its study is of huge interest, both scientific and social. Male infertility is due to defective spermatogenesis, caused by one or more failures during the biogenesis of the male gamete. Since assisted reproduction techniques are the most chosen options for cases of male infertility and since in most cases the success of the technique lies in the success of sperm selection, focusing on understanding the pathways associated with the causes themselves, as well as the identification of molecules involved with infertility itself, has become a social priority.