Dysregulation of intracellular pH is a cause of impaired capacitation in Slc22a14-deficient mice
Solute carrier 22a member 14 (SLC22A14) plays a critical role in male infertility in mice. We previously revealed that one of the causes of infertility is impaired capacitation. However, the molecular mechanism remained unclear. Here, we show that the influx of HCO3–, a trigger of capacitation, is impaired and intracellular pH is decreased in the sperm of Slc22a14 knockout (KO) mice. While intracellular cAMP concentration did not increase during capacitation in Slc22a14 KO spermatozoa, HCO3–-dependent soluble adenylate cyclase activity was normal, and the addition of 8-bromo cAMP rescued the decreased protein tyrosine phosphorylation. In addition, the intracellular pH of Slc22a14 KO sperm was lower than that of wild-type sperm and did not increase after the addition of HCO3–. Although its relationship to the regulation of intracellular pH is unknown, TMEM225, a possible protein phosphatase inhibitor, was found to be decreased in Slc22a14 KO sperm. The decreased in vitro fertilization rate of Slc22a14 KO sperm was partially rescued by an increase in the intracellular pH (pHi) and the addition of 8-bromo cAMP. These results suggest that SLC22A14 is involved in capacitation through the regulation of HCO3– transport and pHi.