Sperm interaction in the hyperandrogenized female reproductive tract might contribute to female infertility: a hypothesis

It is well known that hyperandrogenism (HA) in females is associated with oligo-ovulation or anovulation, leading to subfertility. The abnormality in ovulation is due to ovarian dysfunction. However, it remains unclear whether ovarian dysfunction is the sole cause of subfertility. The crosstalk between sperm and the hyperandrogenized female reproductive tract has yet to be explored in the context of subfertility or infertility. Therefore, in the present paper, we hypothesized that firm sperm binding to the hyperandrogenized female reproductive tract might be one of the reasons for subfertility. The sperm binding to the hyperandrogenized female tract could delay the capacitation, thereby preventing timely sperm release from the tract, even in the presence of a viable ovum. This way the sperm binding to female tract may augment to infertility in the females with high androgen concentrations.