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Machine-learning algorithm incorporating capacitated sperm intracellular pH predicts conventional in vitro fertilization success in normospermic patients. Fertil Steril 2021; 115:930-939. [PMID: 33461755 DOI: 10.1016/j.fertnstert.2020.10.038] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/27/2020] [Revised: 10/06/2020] [Accepted: 10/08/2020] [Indexed: 12/24/2022]
Abstract
OBJECTIVE To measure human sperm intracellular pH (pHi) and develop a machine-learning algorithm to predict successful conventional in vitro fertilization (IVF) in normospermic patients. DESIGN Spermatozoa from 76 IVF patients were capacitated in vitro. Flow cytometry was used to measure sperm pHi, and computer-assisted semen analysis was used to measure hyperactivated motility. A gradient-boosted machine-learning algorithm was trained on clinical data and sperm pHi and membrane potential from 58 patients to predict successful conventional IVF, defined as a fertilization ratio (number of fertilized oocytes [2 pronuclei]/number of mature oocytes) greater than 0.66. The algorithm was validated on an independent set of data from 18 patients. SETTING Academic medical center. PATIENT(S) Normospermic men undergoing IVF. Patients were excluded if they used frozen sperm, had known male factor infertility, or used intracytoplasmic sperm injection only. INTERVENTION(S) None. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURE(S) Successful conventional IVF. RESULT(S) Sperm pHi positively correlated with hyperactivated motility and with conventional IVF ratio (n = 76) but not with intracytoplasmic sperm injection fertilization ratio (n = 38). In receiver operating curve analysis of data from the test set (n = 58), the machine-learning algorithm predicted successful conventional IVF with a mean accuracy of 0.72 (n = 18), a mean area under the curve of 0.81, a mean sensitivity of 0.65, and a mean specificity of 0.80. CONCLUSION(S) Sperm pHi correlates with conventional fertilization outcomes in normospermic patients undergoing IVF. A machine-learning algorithm can use clinical parameters and markers of capacitation to accurately predict successful fertilization in normospermic men undergoing conventional IVF.
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Matamoros-Volante A, Castillo-Viveros V, Torres-Rodríguez P, Treviño MB, Treviño CL. Time-Lapse Flow Cytometry: A Robust Tool to Assess Physiological Parameters Related to the Fertilizing Capability of Human Sperm. Int J Mol Sci 2020; 22:ijms22010093. [PMID: 33374265 PMCID: PMC7796328 DOI: 10.3390/ijms22010093] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/27/2020] [Revised: 12/16/2020] [Accepted: 12/16/2020] [Indexed: 11/17/2022] Open
Abstract
Plasma membrane (PM) hyperpolarization, increased intracellular pH (pHi), and changes in intracellular calcium concentration ([Ca2+]i) are physiological events that occur during human sperm capacitation. These parameters are potential predictors of successful outcomes for men undergoing artificial reproduction techniques (ARTs), but methods currently available for their determination pose various technical challenges and limitations. Here, we developed a novel strategy employing time-lapse flow cytometry (TLFC) to determine capacitation-related membrane potential (Em) and pHi changes, and progesterone-induced [Ca2+]i increases. Our results show that TLFC is a robust method to measure absolute Em and pHi values and to qualitatively evaluate [Ca2+]i changes. To support the usefulness of our methodology, we used sperm from two types of normozoospermic donors: known paternity (subjects with self-reported paternity) and no-known paternity (subjects without self-reported paternity and no known fertility problems). We found relevant differences between them. The incidences of membrane hyperpolarization, pHi alkalinization, and increased [Ca2+]i were consistently high among known paternity samples (100%, 100%, and 86%, respectively), while they varied widely among no-known paternity samples (44%, 17%, and 45%, respectively). Our results indicate that TLFC is a powerful tool to analyze key physiological parameters of human sperm, which pending clinical validation, could potentially be employed as fertility predictors.
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Affiliation(s)
- Arturo Matamoros-Volante
- Departamento de Genética del Desarrollo y Fisiología Molecular, Instituto de Biotecnología, Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México, Cuernavaca Morelos 62210, Mexico; (A.M.-V.); (V.C.-V.); (P.T.-R.)
| | - Valeria Castillo-Viveros
- Departamento de Genética del Desarrollo y Fisiología Molecular, Instituto de Biotecnología, Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México, Cuernavaca Morelos 62210, Mexico; (A.M.-V.); (V.C.-V.); (P.T.-R.)
| | - Paulina Torres-Rodríguez
- Departamento de Genética del Desarrollo y Fisiología Molecular, Instituto de Biotecnología, Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México, Cuernavaca Morelos 62210, Mexico; (A.M.-V.); (V.C.-V.); (P.T.-R.)
| | - Marcela B. Treviño
- Science Department, School of Pure and Applied Sciences, Florida SouthWestern State College, Fort Myers, FL 33919, USA;
| | - Claudia L. Treviño
- Departamento de Genética del Desarrollo y Fisiología Molecular, Instituto de Biotecnología, Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México, Cuernavaca Morelos 62210, Mexico; (A.M.-V.); (V.C.-V.); (P.T.-R.)
- Correspondence: ; Tel.: +52-777-329-1611
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Chen X, Zheng Y, Zheng J, Lin J, Zhang L, Jin J. The progesterone-induced sperm acrosome reaction is a good option for the prediction of fertilization in vitro compared with other sperm parameters. Andrologia 2019; 51:e13278. [PMID: 30938453 DOI: 10.1111/and.13278] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/22/2018] [Revised: 01/27/2019] [Accepted: 02/26/2019] [Indexed: 01/26/2023] Open
Abstract
Progesterone (P4 ) is crucial for the physiological function of spermatozoa. In the study, we investigated the correlation between P4 -induced sperm acrosome reaction (AR) and parameters including sperm progressive motility, normal morphology and sperm DNA fragmentation (SDF), and compared the in vitro fertilization (IVF) predictive values of these indicators based on the multivariate regressions analysis and receiver operator characteristics (ROC) curve analyses. The results demonstrated a negative correlation between P4 -induced sperm AR and the SDF, with the correlation -9.05 (-17.25 to -0.84), p<0.05, n = 47). No relationship was found between the sperm progressive motility, normal morphology and the induced AR. The P4 -induced AR and SDF were both significantly correlated to the fertilization rate. ROC curve analyses indicated that P4 -induced AR was a better prognostic predictor for the fertilization rate compared with the SDF, with the areas under the curve 0.729 (0.580-0.849), p<0.01 and 0.637 (0.484-0.772), p=0.16 respectively. The cut-off value for P4 -induced AR to predict "50% fertilization rate" was 23.4% with sensitivity and specificity of 63.3% and 88.2% respectively. The overall results indicated that the assessment of P4 -induced AR seemed to be a more sensitive indicator for fertilization rate in vitro compared with other sperm parameters.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xia Chen
- Reproductive Medicine Center, The First Affiliated Hospital of Wenzhou Medical University, Wenzhou, China
| | - Yi Zheng
- Reproductive Medicine Center, The First Affiliated Hospital of Wenzhou Medical University, Wenzhou, China
| | - Jiujia Zheng
- Reproductive Medicine Center, The First Affiliated Hospital of Wenzhou Medical University, Wenzhou, China
| | - Jie Lin
- Reproductive Medicine Center, The First Affiliated Hospital of Wenzhou Medical University, Wenzhou, China
| | - Liya Zhang
- Reproductive Medicine Center, The First Affiliated Hospital of Wenzhou Medical University, Wenzhou, China
| | - Jianyuan Jin
- Reproductive Medicine Center, The First Affiliated Hospital of Wenzhou Medical University, Wenzhou, China
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Albrizio M, Moramarco AM, Nicassio M, Micera E, Zarrilli A, Lacalandra GM. Localization and functional modification of L-type voltage-gated calcium channels in equine spermatozoa from fresh and frozen semen. Theriogenology 2014; 83:421-9. [PMID: 25459425 DOI: 10.1016/j.theriogenology.2014.10.005] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/03/2013] [Revised: 10/01/2014] [Accepted: 10/05/2014] [Indexed: 01/13/2023]
Abstract
It is well known that insemination of cryopreserved semen always results in lower fertility when compared with fresh semen, but there is an increased interest and demand for frozen equine semen by the major breeder associations because of the utility arising from semen already "on hand" at breeding time. In this article, we report that equine sperm cells express L-type voltage-gated calcium channels; their localization is restricted to sperm neck and to the principal piece of the tail in both fresh and frozen-thawed spermatozoa. We also studied the causes of cryoinjury at the membrane level focusing on the function of L-type calcium channels. We report that in cryopreserved spermatozoa the mean basal value of [Ca(2+)]i is higher than that of spermatozoa from fresh semen (447.130 vs. 288.3 nM; P < 0.001) and L-type channels function differently in response to their agonist and antagonist in relation to semen condition (fresh or frozen-thawed). We found that on addition of agonist to the culture medium, the increase in intracellular calcium concentrations ([Ca(2+)]i) was greater in frozen semen than in fresh semen (Δ[Ca(2+)]i = 124.59 vs. 16.04 nM; P < 0.001), whereas after the addition of antagonist the decrease in [Ca(2+)]i was lower in frozen semen than in fresh semen (Δ[Ca(2+)]i = 32.5 vs. 82.5 nM; P < 0.001). In this article, we also discuss the impact of cryopreservation on sperm physiology.
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Affiliation(s)
- M Albrizio
- Department of Emergency and Organs Transplantation (DETO), Section of Veterinary Clinics and Animal Productions, University of Bari "Aldo Moro," Valenzano, Bari, Italy.
| | - A M Moramarco
- Department of Emergency and Organs Transplantation (DETO), Section of Veterinary Clinics and Animal Productions, University of Bari "Aldo Moro," Valenzano, Bari, Italy
| | - M Nicassio
- Department of Emergency and Organs Transplantation (DETO), Section of Veterinary Clinics and Animal Productions, University of Bari "Aldo Moro," Valenzano, Bari, Italy
| | - E Micera
- Department of Emergency and Organs Transplantation (DETO), Section of Veterinary Clinics and Animal Productions, University of Bari "Aldo Moro," Valenzano, Bari, Italy
| | - A Zarrilli
- Department of Emergency and Organs Transplantation (DETO), Section of Veterinary Clinics and Animal Productions, University of Bari "Aldo Moro," Valenzano, Bari, Italy
| | - G M Lacalandra
- Department of Emergency and Organs Transplantation (DETO), Section of Veterinary Clinics and Animal Productions, University of Bari "Aldo Moro," Valenzano, Bari, Italy
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de Araújo Leite JC, Marques-Santos LF. Extracellular Ca2+influx is crucial for the early embryonic development of the sea urchinEchinometra lucunter. JOURNAL OF EXPERIMENTAL ZOOLOGY PART B-MOLECULAR AND DEVELOPMENTAL EVOLUTION 2012; 318:123-33. [DOI: 10.1002/jezb.21450] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/10/2022]
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Darszon A, Nishigaki T, Beltran C, Treviño CL. Calcium Channels in the Development, Maturation, and Function of Spermatozoa. Physiol Rev 2011; 91:1305-55. [DOI: 10.1152/physrev.00028.2010] [Citation(s) in RCA: 243] [Impact Index Per Article: 18.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/13/2022] Open
Abstract
A proper dialogue between spermatozoa and the egg is essential for conception of a new individual in sexually reproducing animals. Ca2+ is crucial in orchestrating this unique event leading to a new life. No wonder that nature has devised different Ca2+-permeable channels and located them at distinct sites in spermatozoa so that they can help fertilize the egg. New tools to study sperm ionic currents, and image intracellular Ca2+ with better spatial and temporal resolution even in swimming spermatozoa, are revealing how sperm ion channels participate in fertilization. This review critically examines the involvement of Ca2+ channels in multiple signaling processes needed for spermatozoa to mature, travel towards the egg, and fertilize it. Remarkably, these tiny specialized cells can express exclusive channels like CatSper for Ca2+ and SLO3 for K+, which are attractive targets for contraception and for the discovery of novel signaling complexes. Learning more about fertilization is a matter of capital importance; societies face growing pressure to counteract rising male infertility rates, provide safe male gamete-based contraceptives, and preserve biodiversity through improved captive breeding and assisted conception initiatives.
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Affiliation(s)
- Alberto Darszon
- Departamento de Genética del Desarrollo y Fisiología Molecular, Instituto de Biotecnología, Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México, Cuernavaca, Morelos, México
| | - Takuya Nishigaki
- Departamento de Genética del Desarrollo y Fisiología Molecular, Instituto de Biotecnología, Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México, Cuernavaca, Morelos, México
| | - Carmen Beltran
- Departamento de Genética del Desarrollo y Fisiología Molecular, Instituto de Biotecnología, Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México, Cuernavaca, Morelos, México
| | - Claudia L. Treviño
- Departamento de Genética del Desarrollo y Fisiología Molecular, Instituto de Biotecnología, Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México, Cuernavaca, Morelos, México
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Baldi E, Luconi M, Muratori M, Marchiani S, Tamburrino L, Forti G. Nongenomic activation of spermatozoa by steroid hormones: facts and fictions. Mol Cell Endocrinol 2009; 308:39-46. [PMID: 19549590 DOI: 10.1016/j.mce.2009.02.006] [Citation(s) in RCA: 125] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/03/2008] [Revised: 01/30/2009] [Accepted: 02/17/2009] [Indexed: 12/26/2022]
Abstract
The rapid effects of steroids on spermatozoa have been demonstrated for the first time two decades ago. Progesterone (P), which is present throughout the female genital tract with peaks of levels in the cumulus matrix surrounding the oocyte, stimulates several sperm functions, including hyperactivation and acrosome reaction. These effects are mediated by an extranuclear pathway, as P stimulates an influx of calcium, the tyrosine phosphorylation of sperm proteins and other signalling cascades in a rapid manner. Whether these effects are receptor mediated and which receptors mediate these effects are still a matter of discussion despite all the efforts of the scientific community aimed at identifying them during the last 20 years. Although responsiveness to P is related to sperm fertilizing ability, the physiological role of P during the process of fertilization is discussed, and recent evidence points for a role of the steroid as a chemotactic agent for sperm. A similar situation applies for estrogens (E), which have been shown to induce direct effects on sperm by an extranuclear pathway. In particular, E appear to decrease acrosome reaction in response to P, exerting a role in ensuring an appropriate timing for sperm exocytosis during the process of fertilization.
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Affiliation(s)
- Elisabetta Baldi
- Dept. of Clinical Physiopathology, Andrology Unit, Center of Excellence for Research, Transfer and High Education DeNothe, University of Florence, Italy.
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Darszon A, Acevedo JJ, Galindo BE, Hernández-González EO, Nishigaki T, Treviño CL, Wood C, Beltrán C. Sperm channel diversity and functional multiplicity. Reproduction 2006; 131:977-88. [PMID: 16735537 DOI: 10.1530/rep.1.00612] [Citation(s) in RCA: 145] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/08/2022]
Abstract
Ion channels are extraordinarily efficient machines that move ions in diversely controlled manners, allowing cells to rapidly exchange information with the outside world and with other cells. Communication is the currency of fertilization, as it is of most fundamental cell signaling events. Ion channels are deeply involved in the dialogue between sperm, its surroundings, and the egg. How sperm swim, find the egg and fertilize it depend on ion permeability changes modulated by environmental cues and components of the egg outer layer. Different ion channels distinctly localized in these tiny, amazing cells perform specific decoding functions that shape the sophisticated behavior of sperm. It is not surprising that certain sperm ion channels are turning out to be unique. New strategies to characterize sperm ion transport have opened exciting possibilities to dissect sperm-egg signaling and unveil novel contraception targets.
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Affiliation(s)
- Alberto Darszon
- Department of Genetics of Development and Molecular Physiology, Institute of Biotechnology, UNAM, Cuernavaca, Mexico
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Darszon A, Nishigaki T, Wood C, Treviño CL, Felix R, Beltrán C. Calcium Channels and Ca2+ Fluctuations in Sperm Physiology. INTERNATIONAL REVIEW OF CYTOLOGY 2005; 243:79-172. [PMID: 15797459 DOI: 10.1016/s0074-7696(05)43002-8] [Citation(s) in RCA: 124] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/06/2023]
Abstract
Generating new life in animals by sexual reproduction depends on adequate communication between mature and competent male and female gametes. Ion channels are instrumental in the dialogue between sperm, its environment, and the egg. The ability of sperm to swim to the egg and fertilize it is modulated by ion permeability changes induced by environmental cues and components of the egg outer layer. Ca(2+) is probably the key messenger in this information exchange. It is therefore not surprising that different Ca(2+)-permeable channels are distinctly localized in these tiny specialized cells. New approaches to measure sperm currents, intracellular Ca(2+), membrane potential, and intracellular pH with fluorescent probes, patch-clamp recordings, sequence information, and heterologous expression are revealing how sperm channels participate in fertilization. Certain sperm ion channels are turning out to be unique, making them attractive targets for contraception and for the discovery of novel signaling complexes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Alberto Darszon
- Department of Developmental Genetics and Molecular Physiology, Institute of Biotechnology, Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México, Cuernavaca, Morelos, Mexico 62210
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Fraire-Zamora JJ, González-Martínez MT. Effect of intracellular pH on depolarization-evoked calcium influx in human sperm. Am J Physiol Cell Physiol 2004; 287:C1688-96. [PMID: 15306540 DOI: 10.1152/ajpcell.00141.2004] [Citation(s) in RCA: 37] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/22/2022]
Abstract
Human sperm are endowed with putative voltage-dependent calcium channels (VDCC) that produce measurable increases in intracellular calcium concentration ([Ca2+]i) in response to membrane depolarization with potassium. These channels are blocked by nickel, inactivate in 1–2 min in calcium-deprived medium, and are remarkably stimulated by NH4Cl, suggesting a role for intracellular pH (pHi). In a previous work, we showed that calcium permeability through these channels increases approximately onefold during in vitro “capacitation,” a calcium-dependent process that sperm require to fertilize eggs. In this work, we have determined the pHidependence of sperm VDCC. Simultaneous depolarization and pHialkalinization with NH4Cl induced an [Ca2+]iincrease that depended on the amount of NH4Cl added. VDCC stimulation as a function of pHishowed a sigmoid curve in the 6.6–7.2 pHirange, with a half-maximum stimulation at pH ∼7.00. At higher pHi(≥7.3), a further stimulation occurred. Calcium release from internal stores did not contribute to the stimulating effect of pHibecause the [Ca2+]iincrease induced by progesterone, which opens a calcium permeability pathway that does not involve gating of VDCC, was unaffected by ammonium. The ratio of pHi-stimulated-to-nonstimulated calcium influx was nearly constant at different test depolarization values. Likewise, depolarization-induced calcium influx in pHi-stimulated and nonstimulated cells was equally blocked by nickel. In our capacitating conditions pHiincreased 0.11 pH units, suggesting that the calcium influx stimulation observed during sperm capacitation might be partially caused by pHialkalinization. Additionally, a calcium permeability pathway triggered exclusively by pHialkalinization was detected.
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Affiliation(s)
- Juan J Fraire-Zamora
- Departamento de Farmacología, Facultad de Medicina, Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México, Ciudad Universitaria, CP 04510, Apartado Postal 70-297 Mexico City, Mexico
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Harper CV, Barratt CLR, Publicover SJ. Stimulation of Human Spermatozoa with Progesterone Gradients to Simulate Approach to the Oocyte. J Biol Chem 2004; 279:46315-25. [PMID: 15322137 DOI: 10.1074/jbc.m401194200] [Citation(s) in RCA: 141] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/11/2022] Open
Abstract
Progesterone is present at micromolar concentrations in the cumulus matrix, which surrounds mammalian oocytes. Exposure of human spermatozoa to a concentration gradient of progesterone (0-3 microM) to simulate approach to the oocyte induced a slowly developing increase in [Ca(2+)](i) upon which, in many cells, slow oscillations were superimposed. [Ca(2+)](i) oscillations often started at very low progesterone (<10 nm), and their frequency did not change during the subsequent rise in concentration. Oscillations also occurred, but in a much smaller proportion of cells, in response to stepped application of progesterone (3 microM). When progesterone was removed, [Ca(2+)](i) oscillations often persisted or quickly resumed. Superfusion with low-Ca(2+) bathing medium (no added Ca(2+)) did not prevent [Ca(2+)](i) oscillations, but they could be abolished by addition of EGTA or La(3+). Inhibitors of sarcoplasmic/endoplasmic reticulum Ca(2+)-ATPases or inositol trisphosphate signaling had no effect on [Ca(2+)](i) oscillations, but pharmacological manipulation of ryanodine receptors affected both their frequency and amplitude. Staining of live spermatozoa with BODIPY FL-X ryanodine showed localization of ryanodine binding primarily to the caudal part of the head and mid-piece. [Ca(2+)](i) oscillations did not induce acrosome reaction, but in cells generating oscillations, the flagellar beat mode alternated in synchrony with the oscillation cycle. Flagellar bending and lateral movement of the sperm head during [Ca(2+)](i) peaks were markedly increased compared with during [Ca(2+)](i) troughs. This alternating pattern of activity is likely to facilitate zona penetration. These observations show that progesterone initiates unusual and complex store-mediated [Ca(2+)](i) signaling in human spermatozoa and identify a previously unrecognized effect of progesterone in regulating sperm "behavior" during fertilization.
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Affiliation(s)
- Claire V Harper
- School of Biosciences, Medical School, University of Birmingham, Birmingham, UK
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