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bourgeonal, chemotaxis, odorants, receptors, signal cascades
sperm chemotaxis; receptors; odorant; cells
Abstract:
The scent of success! On their way to the ovum, human sperms are guided by chemical signals, which may be related to the scent of the lily of the valley. para‐Substituted 3‐phenylpropanals such as cyclamal and bourgeonal are recognized by an olfactory receptor of the sperm and trigger an influx of Ca2+ ions via cAMP as a second messenger. The signal modulates the swimming behavior and speed of the sperm. Undecanal acts as an antagonist and makes the sperm cells slow and disorientated.
