Male to female sperm signalling – a new role for sperm in reproduction?

男性精液通常被认为只是为受孕提供精子。这个项目旨在研究精子的一个鲜为人知的作用：改变女性的免疫反应，以增加生殖成功的机会。该项目旨在确定精子与女性细胞相互作用的分子途径，特别是精子上的b防御素如何与toll样受体结合以刺激女性免疫耐受。该项目计划使用胚胎移植和遗传小鼠模型来确定精子信号的生理益处。有证据表明，哺乳动物的精液信号传导能够确保雌性进行最佳的生殖投资，这将有助于进一步了解雄性对生殖过程的贡献。

Male seminal fluid is commonly thought simply to provide sperm for conception. This project aims to investigate a lesser known action of sperm: modifying the female immune response to increase the chances of reproductive success. The project aims to define the molecular pathway through which sperm interact with female cells, particularly how B-defensins on sperm bind to Toll-like receptors to stimulate female immune tolerance. The project plans to use embryo transfer and genetic mouse models to determine the physiological benefit of sperm signalling. Evidence that seminal fluid signalling operates in mammals to ensure optimal female reproductive investment would advance knowledge of the male contribution to the reproductive process.