Malfunction in spermatogenesis: Researchers uncover contribution of cylicin proteins to male fertility

For successful fertilization, sperm should move forward rapidly and be shaped correctly. The unique structure of the sperm cells forms during spermiogenesis. Now, researchers from the University Hospital Bonn (UKB) and the Transdisciplinary Research Unit Life & Health at the University of Bonn have found that fertility problems in both mice and humans can be caused by loss of so-called cylicins. This causes defects in the head and tail structure of sperm. The results of the study have now been published in the journal eLife.