99957ebf_us_Bulletin___October_16__2013__Research_Summary
[PI / Co-PIs] Theodore Chauvin Â Â [Department(s)] WWAMI Spokane Lipid Function in Epididymal Sperm WSU Spokane Office of Research [Research Summary] 
This faculty seed grant provides funding for a study that will help gain a better understanding of lipid metabolism in sperm, which may eventually lead to better diagnosis and treatment of male infertility. Successful fertilization of the egg requires sperm that can move forward in a progressive manner and can successfully penetrate the egg. Defects in either of these two sperm functions contribute significantly to male infertility. Sperm gain the ability to swim and fertilize an immature egg cell during transit through the epididymis, which is part of the testicle. Epididymal sperm maturation is characterized by changes in both protein and lipid composition of the sperm. This study will attempt to identify the molecular mechanisms used for these changes, which are not currently well understood.
WSU Spokane: WSU Spokane Campus Bulletin - October 16, 2013
Research Summary