Outer dense fiber protein 2, also known as cenexin, is a protein that in humans is encoded by the ''ODF2'' gene. The outer dense fibers are cytoskeletal structures that surround the axoneme in the middle piece and principal piece of the

sperm Sperm is the male reproductive cell, or gamete, in anisogamous forms of sexual reproduction (forms in which there is a larger, female reproductive cell and a smaller, male one). Animals produce motile sperm with a tail known as a flagellum, whi ...

tail. The fibers function in maintaining the elastic structure and recoil of the sperm tail as well as in protecting the tail from shear forces during epididymal transport and ejaculation. Defects in the outer dense fibers lead to abnormal sperm morphology and

infertility Infertility is the inability of a person, animal or plant to reproduce by natural means. It is usually not the natural state of a healthy adult, except notably among certain eusocial species (mostly haplodiploid insects). It is the normal state ...

. This gene encodes one of the major outer dense fiber proteins. Multiple protein isoforms are encoded by transcript variants of this gene; however, not all isoforms and variants have been fully described.

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