pH-dependent Ca+2 oscillations prevent untimely acrosome reaction in human sperm

Journal Article · Thu Feb 15 04:00:00 EST 2018 · Biochemical and Biophysical Research Communications

DOI:https://doi.org/10.1016/J.BBRC.2018.02.042· OSTI ID:23137324

Mata-Martínez, Esperanza; Darszon, Alberto

Highlights: • The external pH maintained during capacitation influences Acrosome Reaction. • Ca{sup 2+} oscillations prevent AR and are more frequent at external pH 6.5. • Pharmacological inhibition of Ca{sup 2+} oscillations restored Acrosome Reaction. During transit through the female reproductive tract, sperm encounter metabolites and environmental conditions that modulate various processes leading to fertilization. Intracellular Ca{sup 2+} dynamics regulate the acrosome reaction (AR), which involves exocytosis of the acrosomal granule, a prerequisite for successful fertilization. We explored the ability of progesterone, prostanglandin-E1, and GABA to induce Ca{sup 2+} mobilization and AR in single human spermatozoa capacitated under external pH (pH{sub e}) conditions found in different regions of the female reproductive tract (pH{sub e} 6.5, 7.4 and 8.0). The highest percentage of AR induction, regardless of the inducer, occurred when sperm were capacitated at pH{sub e} 7.4. Interestingly, at pH{sub e} 6.5 a high percentage of cells exhibit Ca{sup 2+} oscillations, which prevent AR. These oscillations involve extracellular and intracellular Ca{sup 2+} channels. Pharmacological inhibition of Ca{sup 2+} oscillations restores the ability of spermatozoa to undergo the AR when exposed to progesterone, even if capacitated at pH{sub e} 6.5.

• OSTI ID: 23137324
• Journal Information: Biochemical and Biophysical Research Communications, Journal Name: Biochemical and Biophysical Research Communications Journal Issue: 1 Vol. 497; ISSN 0006-291X; ISSN BBRCA9
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

60 APPLIED LIFE SCIENCES
CALCIUM IONS
FERTILIZATION
HUMAN POPULATIONS
METABOLITES
PROGESTERONE
SPERMATOZOA