Heat shock protein in male infertility: advances in studies / 中华男科学杂志

ABSTRACT

Heat shock protein (HSP) is a group of evolutionarily highly conserved cell chaperone proteins involved in the processes of molecular chaperone, cytoprotection, anti-apoptosis and immunoregulation. Recent studies found that HSP is also involved in spermatogenesis, sperm capacitation and fertilization, which play a significant role in male reproduction. Therefore, further studies on the action mechanisms of HSP in male infertility may offer a new insight into the management of the problem.