The role of the mitochondrion in sperm function: is there a place for oxidative phosphorylation or is this a purely glycolytic process?
We review here the current knowledge related to the metabolic pathways used by spermatozoa to meet their high demands for ATP. This is discussed with special emphasis on one of their key roles, motility. We believe that the controversy among glycolytic and oxidative phosphorylation supporters is artificial and, as it happens in many other cell types, the source of ATP is multiple and depends on external inputs.
Ruiz-Pesini
Eduardo
E
Departamento de Bioquímica, Biología Molecular y Celular, Universidad de Zaragoza, 50013 Zaragoza, Spain.
Díez-Sánchez
Carmen
C
López-Pérez
Manuel José
MJ
Enríquez
José Antonio
JA
D000818:Animals; D006019:Glycolysis; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008928:Mitochondria / Q000378:metabolism*; D008938:Mitosis; D010085:Oxidative Phosphorylation; D013094:Spermatozoa / Q000166:cytology* / Q000378:metabolism*