Role of microvesicles in sperm functions

精子是在睾丸中产生的。它们必须经过雄性和雌性的生殖道才能到达卵子附近。雄性生殖道显示出很大的差异时，比较脊椎动物物种的解剖。进行体内受精的物种的一个特殊性是附睾。该器官由希腊语epi（意为“上”）和didymos（意为“睾丸”）组成，是一个连接睾丸和输精管的长曲小管，随后是射精管。在农场动物中，解开的附睾可以达到90米长，精子运输可能需要长达15天。已分化的雄配子在离开睾丸后不能受精，在附睾转运过程中，它将获得其可受精性和向前运动特性。这些变化统称为精子成熟。在此过程中，精子与附睾腔内隔室相互作用，其特征在于沿着附睾变化的不寻常的生化成分。附睾液依次与雄配子相互作用以改变其生化组成和性质：这些改变是精子成熟所必需的。

Spermatozoa are produced in the testis. They have to transit both the male and female reproductive tracts before reaching the vicinity of the egg. The male reproductive tract shows great variability when comparing the anatomy of vertebrate species. One particularity of species practicing internal fertilization is the epididymis. Formed from the Greek epi meaning «on» and didymos «testis», this organ is a long convoluted tubule linking the testis to the vas deferens followed by the ejaculatory duct. In farm animals, the unravelled epididymis can reach 90 m long and sperm transit can take as long as 15 days. The differentiated male gamete is incapable of fertilization upon leaving the testis and it is during epididymal transit that it will acquire its fertilizing ability and its forward motility properties. These modifications are collectively called sperm maturation. During this process, spermatozoa interact with the epididymal intraluminal compartment, which is characterized by an unusual biochemical composition that varies along the epididymis. The epididymal fluid interacts sequentially with the male gamete to modify its biochemical composition and properties: these modifications are necessary for sperm maturation.