
The sperm hook in house mice plays a crucial role in facilitating sperm migration and interactions with the female reproductive tract epithelium, enabling successful sperm transport and self-organized sperm behaviors.


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In most murine species, spermatozoa exhibit a falciform apical hook at the head end. The function of the sperm hook is not yet clearly understood. In this study, we investigate the role of the sperm hook in the migration of spermatozoa through the female reproductive tract in Mus musculus (C57BL/6), using a deep tissue imaging custom-built two-photon microscope. Through live reproductive tract imaging, we found evidence indicating that the sperm hook aids in the attachment of spermatozoa to the epithelium and facilitates interactions between spermatozoa and the epithelium during migration in the uterus and oviduct. We also observed synchronised sperm beating, which resulted from the spontaneous unidirectional rearrangement of spermatozoa in the uterus. Based on live imaging of spermatozoa-epithelium interaction dynamics, we propose that the sperm hook plays a crucial role in successful migration through the female reproductive tract by providing anchor-like mechanical support and facilitating interactions between spermatozoa and the female reproductive tract in the house mouse.

### Competing Interest Statement

The authors have declared no competing interest.

The sperm hook in house mice: a functional adaptation for migration and self-organised behaviour

the-sperm-hook-in-house-mice-its-role-in-sperm-migration-and-self-organized-behavior-within-the-female-reproductive-tract


The Sperm Hook in House Mice: Its Role in Sperm Migration and Self-Organized Behavior within the Female Reproductive Tract
