Nematode sperm.
Parasitic nematode infections remain a major public health problem in many parts of the world. Because most of the current strategies aimed at controlling parasitic nematode infections have met with only limited success, it may be time to consider alternative approaches. An aspect of nematode biology that has drawn little attention as a target for control is the reproductive process. Although there are numerous facets of the overall reproductive biology of nematodes that hold potential as targets for intervention, Alan Scott here focuses on the male reproductive system, and outlines some of the known unique processes and characteristics of sperm formation and sperm function that could be exploited to block fertilization.
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Department of Molecular Microbiology and Immunology, School of Hygiene and Public Health, The Johns Hopkins University, 615 North Wolfe Street, Baltimore, MD 21205-2179, USA. ascott@hpcsun01@sph.jhu.edu