Ionic control of sperm function

1995 ◽  
Vol 7 (4) ◽  
pp. 905 ◽  
Author(s):  
LR Fraser
Keyword(s):  
Ionic Composition ◽  
Ion Fluxes ◽  
Sperm Function ◽  
Considerable Evidence ◽  
Functional Potential ◽  
Mammalian Sperm ◽  
Acrosomal Exocytosis ◽  
Extracellular Environment

Successful sperm function leads to fertilization. It is dependent on the extracellular environment, especially the array and concentration of various ions. Considerable evidence indicates that this is because of consequent effects on the intracellular ionic composition. Although both cations and anions undoubtedly play a role in a modulating sperm function, most of the evidence currently available concerns cations. Therefore, this review will concentrate on cations, focussing on Ca2+, Na+, K+ and H+. Their requirements for successful capacitation (mammalian sperm) and acrosomal exocytosis (both invertebrate and mammalian sperm) will be considered. In particular, the mechanisms which may control ion fluxes, leading to changes in the intracellular ionic composition and subsequently to changes in sperm functional potential, will be addressed.

scholarly journals Discrete Dynamic Model of the Mammalian Sperm Acrosome Reaction: The Influence of Acrosomal pH and Physiological Heterogeneity

2021 ◽  
Vol 12 ◽  
Author(s):  
Andrés Aldana ◽  
Jorge Carneiro ◽  
Gustavo Martínez-Mekler ◽  
Alberto Darszon
Keyword(s):  
Acrosome Reaction ◽  
Human Sperm ◽  
Extracellular Medium ◽  
Mammalian Sperm ◽  
Discrete Dynamic Model ◽  
Acrosomal Exocytosis ◽  
Mammalian Fertilization ◽  
Main Components ◽  
Discrete Mathematical Model ◽  
Physiological Heterogeneity

The acrosome reaction (AR) is an exocytotic process essential for mammalian fertilization. It involves diverse physiological changes (biochemical, biophysical, and morphological) that culminate in the release of the acrosomal content to the extracellular medium as well as a reorganization of the plasma membrane (PM) that allows sperm to interact and fuse with the egg. In spite of many efforts, there are still important pending questions regarding the molecular mechanism regulating the AR. Particularly, the contribution of acrosomal alkalinization to AR triggering physiological conditions is not well understood. Also, the dependence of the proportion of sperm capable of undergoing AR on the physiological heterogeneity within a sperm population has not been studied. Here, we present a discrete mathematical model for the human sperm AR based on the physiological interactions among some of the main components of this complex exocytotic process. We show that this model can qualitatively reproduce diverse experimental results, and that it can be used to analyze how acrosomal pH (pHa) and cell heterogeneity regulate AR. Our results confirm that a pHa increase can on its own trigger AR in a subpopulation of sperm, and furthermore, it indicates that this is a necessary step to trigger acrosomal exocytosis through progesterone, a known natural inducer of AR. Most importantly, we show that the proportion of sperm undergoing AR is directly related to the detailed structure of the population physiological heterogeneity.

scholarly journals Effects of Roundup and its main component, glyphosate, upon mammalian sperm function and survival

2020 ◽  
Vol 10 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Chiara Nerozzi ◽  
Sandra Recuero ◽  
Giovanna Galeati ◽  
Diego Bucci ◽  
Marcella Spinaci ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Sperm Function ◽  
Mammalian Sperm ◽  
Main Component

scholarly journals Exosomes derived from HEK293T cells interact in an efficient and noninvasive manner with mammalian sperm in vitro

Nanomedicine ◽  
2020 ◽  
Vol 15 (20) ◽  
pp. 1965-1980
Author(s):  
Teresa Vilanova-Perez ◽  
Celine Jones ◽  
Stefan Balint ◽  
Rebecca Dragovic ◽  
Michael L Dustin ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Flow Cytometry ◽  
Mitochondrial Membrane ◽  
Membrane Integrity ◽  
Computer Assisted ◽  
Sperm Function ◽  
Sperm Analysis ◽  
Mammalian Sperm ◽  
Boar Sperm ◽  
Computer Assisted Sperm Analysis

Aim: To investigate exosomes as a noninvasive delivery tool for mammalian sperm. Materials & Methods: Exosomes were isolated from HEK293T cells and co-incubated with boar sperm in vitro. Results: Internalized exosomes were detected within 10 min of co-incubation. Computer-assisted sperm analysis and flow cytometry demonstrated that even after 5-h of exposure to exosomes, there were no significant deleterious effects with regard to sperm motility, viability, membrane integrity and mitochondrial membrane potential (p > 0.05), thus indicating that exosomes did not interfere with basic sperm function. Conclusion: HEK293T-derived exosomes interacted with boar sperm without affecting sperm function. Exosomes represent a versatile and promising research tool for studying sperm biology and provide new options for the diagnosis and treatment of male infertility.

scholarly journals Complexin I is required for mammalian sperm acrosomal exocytosis

2007 ◽  
Vol 309 (2) ◽  
pp. 236-244 ◽  
Author(s):  
Longmei Zhao ◽  
Heather R. Burkin ◽  
Xudong Shi ◽  
Lingjun Li ◽  
Kerstin Reim ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Mammalian Sperm ◽  
Acrosomal Exocytosis

scholarly journals Deactivation of the JNK Pathway by GSTP1 Is Essential to Maintain Sperm Functionality

2021 ◽  
Vol 9 ◽  
Author(s):  
Marc Llavanera ◽  
Yentel Mateo-Otero ◽  
Ariadna Delgado-Bermúdez ◽  
Sandra Recuero ◽  
Samuel Olives ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Membrane Integrity ◽  
Mitochondrial Activity ◽  
Computer Assisted ◽  
Sperm Function ◽  
Jnk Pathway ◽  
Male Subfertility ◽  
Mammalian Sperm ◽  
Genetic Abnormalities ◽  
Protein Dysfunction

Fifty percent of male subfertility diagnosis is idiopathic and is usually associated with genetic abnormalities or protein dysfunction, which are not detectable through the conventional spermiogram. Glutathione S-transferases (GSTs) are antioxidant enzymes essential for preserving sperm function and maintaining fertilizing ability. However, while the role of GSTP1 in cell signaling regulation via the inhibition of c-Jun N-terminal kinases (JNK) has been enlightened in somatic cells, it has never been investigated in mammalian spermatozoa. In this regard, a comprehensive approach through immunoblotting, immunofluorescence, computer-assisted sperm assessment (CASA), and flow cytometry analysis was used to characterize the molecular role of the GSTP1–JNK heterocomplex in sperm physiology, using the pig as a model. Immunological assessments confirmed the presence and localization of GSTP1 in sperm cells. The pharmacological dissociation of the GSTP1–JNK heterocomplex resulted in the activation of JNK, which led to a significant decrease in sperm viability, motility, mitochondrial activity, and plasma membrane stability, as well as to an increase of intracellular superoxides. No effects in intracellular calcium levels and acrosome membrane integrity were observed. In conclusion, the present work has demonstrated, for the first time, the essential role of GSTP1 in deactivating JNK, which is crucial to maintain sperm function and has also set the grounds to understand the relevance of the GSTP1–JNK heterocomplex for the regulation of mammalian sperm physiology.

scholarly journals Glutathione S-Transferases Play a Crucial Role in Mitochondrial Function, Plasma Membrane Stability and Oxidative Regulation of Mammalian Sperm

Antioxidants ◽  
2020 ◽  
Vol 9 (2) ◽  
pp. 100 ◽  
Author(s):  
Marc Llavanera ◽  
Ariadna Delgado-Bermúdez ◽  
Samuel Olives ◽  
Yentel Mateo-Otero ◽  
Sandra Recuero ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Plasma Membrane ◽  
Mitochondrial Function ◽  
Sperm Quality ◽  
Mammalian Species ◽  
Membrane Stability ◽  
Sperm Function ◽  
Cell Protection ◽  
Mammalian Sperm ◽  
Boar Sperm ◽  
Glutathione S Transferases

Glutathione S-transferases (GSTs) are essential sperm antioxidant enzymes involved in cell protection against oxidative stress and toxic chemicals, preserving sperm function and fertilising ability. Artificial insemination (AI) in pigs is commonly carried out through the use of liquid-stored semen at 17 °C, which not only reduces sperm metabolic activity but also sperm quality and AI-farrowing rates within the 72 h of storage. While one may reasonably suggest that such enzymes are implicated in the physiology and maintenance of mammalian sperm function during liquid-storage, no previous studies conducted on any species have addressed this hypothesis. Therefore, the objective of the present work was to characterise the presence and function of sperm GSTs in mammalian sperm, using the pig as a model. In this regard, inhibition of such enzymes by ethacrynic acid (EA) during semen storage at 17 °C was performed to evaluate the effects of GSTs in liquid-preserved boar sperm by flow cytometry, immunofluorescence, and immunoblotting analysis. The results of this study have shown, for the first time in mammalian species, that the inhibition of GSTs reduces sperm quality and functionality parameters during their storage at 17 °C. These findings highlight the key role of such enzymes, especially preserving mitochondrial function and maintaining plasma membrane stability. In addition, this study has identified and localised GSTM3 in the tail and equatorial subdomain of the head of boar sperm. Finally, this study has set grounds for future investigations testing supplementation of semen extenders with GSTs, as this may improve fertility outcomes of swine AIs.

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