scholarly journals Increased calcium-ion influx is a component of capacitation of spermatozoa

1978 ◽  
Vol 172 (3) ◽  
pp. 549-556 ◽  
Author(s):  
J P Singh ◽  
D F Babcock ◽  
H A Lardy

Capacitation (modifications required for gamete fusion) is produced by incubating guinea-pig spermatozoa in vitro in a chemically defined medium. It is shown that during such incubation a net uptake of Ca2+ by the sperm occurs in two distinguishable phases. An initial loose association of Ca2+, possibly to surface sites, is unaffected by agents (Mg2+, inhibitors of mitochondiral function) that prevent or delay the exocytotic spermatozoal acrosome reaction. The time course of a secondary Ca2+ uptake parallels or slightly precedes the time course of the acrosome reaction. This parallelism is maintained during a variety of treatments that either expedite (local anaesthetics, ionophore A23187, Triton X-100) or delay (Mg2+, low external Ca2+) the acrosome reaction. We conclude that the secondary Ca2+ influx described herein apparently serves to link alterations of the spermatozoal membrane to subsequent contractile and secretory components of the capacitation sequence.

1989 ◽  
Vol 259 (2) ◽  
pp. 397-406 ◽  
Author(s):  
E R S Roldan ◽  
R A P Harrison

An investigation was made of the modifications in phospholipids that occur during the exocytotic event known as the ‘sperm acrosome reaction’. Phospholipids were prelabelled with 32P, and exocytosis was induced with Ca2+ and the ionophore A23187. When incubated with [32P]Pi in various media suitable for supporting sperm survival or fertilization in vitro, spermatozoa from all five species examined (ram, boar, guinea pig, mouse and human) incorporated 32P rapidly into the components of the phosphoinositide cycle. There were differences both between species and between media with respect to the actual rate of incorporation of label, and also between species with respect to other phospholipids labelled. Treatment of spermatozoa with Ca2+ and A23187 to induce the acrosome reaction resulted in a rapid breakdown of phosphatidylinositol 4, 5-bisphosphate and phosphatidylinositol 4-phosphate, which was complete within 3 min; there was also a great increase in labelling of phosphatidate. Occurrence of acrosome reactions in the sperm population was only observed after 5-10 min and reached a maximum response of greater than 90% after more than 30 min. The phosphoinositide breakdown was related to subsequent exocytosis: after EGTA/ionophore treatment, neither inositide breakdown nor exocytosis took place; however, later addition of Ca2+ resulted in immediate inositide breakdown, and exocytosis followed, with a delay relative to Ca2+ addition exactly similar to that following standard Ca2+/ionophore treatment. Neomycin inhibited both inositide breakdown and subsequent exocytosis provided it was added together with Ca2+ and ionophore; however, if the drug was added 3 min after Ca2+ and ionophore (by which time inositide breakdown was already complete), exocytosis was not inhibited. Ca2+ seemed to have several consecutive roles in the acrosome reaction. Low (micromolar) levels of free Ca2+ were needed both for phosphoinositide breakdown and for an event downstream of this breakdown; no other bivalent cation could substitute for Ca2+ in either event, and inositide breakdown was actually inhibited by Mg2+. In addition, millimolar levels of Ca2+ were needed for later stages of exocytosis, although this requirement could be satisfied by Sr2+. We conclude that breakdown of polyphosphoinositides is an essential early process after Ca2+ entry in the chain of events that lead to exocytosis in the mammalian sperm acrosome reaction.


2008 ◽  
Vol 20 (2) ◽  
pp. 295 ◽  
Author(s):  
N. A. Czarny ◽  
K. E. Mate ◽  
J. C. Rodger

The spermatozoa of most marsupials lack nuclear stabilising disulfide-bonded protamines found in eutherian mammals. However, disulfide stabilisation has been observed in the acrosome of macropodid (Macropus eugenii) and phalangerid (Trichosurus vulpecula) marsupials. As a result this organelle, which is normally fragile in eutherian mammals, is robust and able to withstand physical and chemical challenge in these marsupials. The present study examined acrosomal characteristics of the spermatozoa of three dasyurid marsupials; the fat-tailed dunnart (Sminthopsis crassicaudata), eastern quoll (Dasyurus viverrinus) and northern quoll (Dasyurus hallucatus). In all species examined Bryan’s staining demonstrated that significant acrosomal loss occurred following physical challenge with osmotic stress, cryopreservation without cryoprotectant and exposure to detergent (Triton-X). Bromobimane staining indicated that the acrosomes of dasyurids lacked stabilising disulfide bonds. As reported for the wallaby and possum, calcium ionophore (A23187) did not induce the acrosome reaction-like exocytosis in dasyurid spermatozoa but treatment with diacylglycerol (DiC8) caused significant acrosome loss at concentrations similar to those effective for other marsupials. The present study found that the spermatozoa of dasyurids are more sensitive to physical challenge than the previously-studied marsupials and we suggest that this is due to the absence of acrosomal stabilising disulfide bonds.


Zygote ◽  
1996 ◽  
Vol 4 (2) ◽  
pp. 93-99 ◽  
Author(s):  
Hiroyuki Tateno ◽  
Yujiroh Kamiguchi

SummaryTo enhance potential use of the Chinese hamster, Cricetulus griseus, in developmental and cytogenetic studies of mammalian gametes and embryos, techniques for in vitro fertilisation and embryo culture were developed in the species. Spermatozoa were recovered from the vasa deferentia of mature males, and incubated in modified TYH medium for 1 h at 37°C under 5% CO2 in air. They were then treated with ionophore A23187 (20¼M) for 10min to induce the acrosome reaction. Following ionophore treatment, superovulated oocytes were collected from hormonally stimulated females and incubated with the acrosome-reacted spermatozoa for 2 h at 37°C under 5% CO2 in air. In this study, 245 oocytes ova (98.0%) were determined to be monospermic. The monospermic ova were then cultured in TYH supplemented with 1mM hypotaurine under the same gas phase. Within 30h of fertilisation, 182 ova (93.8%) cleaved to the 2-cell stage, and subsequently 163 ova (84.0%) developed beyond the 2-cell stage. Thus, obstinate developmental arrest at the 2-cell stage(‘2-cell block’) was not observed in this species. Ultimately, 65.5% of monospermic ova reached morula to blastocyst stages.


1994 ◽  
Vol 62 (6) ◽  
pp. 1255-1261 ◽  
Author(s):  
Peter Bielfeld ◽  
Robert A. Anderson ◽  
Steven R. Mack ◽  
Christopher J. De Jonge ◽  
Lourens J.D. Zaneveld

1975 ◽  
Vol 152 (2) ◽  
pp. 255-265 ◽  
Author(s):  
Anthony K. Campbell ◽  
Robert L. Dormer

1. Obelin, the Ca2+-activated luminescent protein from the hydroid Obelia geniculata, was sealed inside pigeon erythrocyte ‘ghosts’ in order to investigate effects on their permeability of different methods of preparation and of the bivalent cation ionophore A23187. 2. Changes in free Ca2+ within the ‘ghosts’ were studied by following the rate of luminescence of obelin. The possibility that the obelin might have been released from the ‘ghosts’ during an experiment was investigated by studying the release of inulin and pyruvate kinase from the ‘ghosts’. Less than 10% of the inulin or pyruvate kinase sealed within the ‘ghosts’ was released under any of the experimental conditions. 3. Triton X-100 (0.1–10%, v/v) made the ‘ghosts’ highly permeable to Ca2+. In the presence of 1mm-Ca2+ and Triton, 95–100% of the obelin was utilized within 10–20s. 4. A time-course of resealing ‘ghosts’ at 37°C showed that over a period of 90min, the ‘ghosts’ became gradually less permeable to Ca2+. ‘Ghosts’ which remained at 0°C retained only a small concentration of obelin and ATP, and were highly permeable to Ca2+. 5. Erythrocyte ‘ghosts’ resealed for 30min at 20°C rather than 37°C were more permeable to Ca2+, as shown by the fact that 92% of the obelin in the ‘ghosts’ was utilized during the first 60s after the addition of 1mm-Ca2+, as opposed to 44% for ‘ghosts’ resealed at 37°C. 6. Haemolysis at pH6.0 rather than 7.0 resulted in ‘ghosts’ which were highly permeable to Ca2+ after resealing for 60min at 37°C. Of the obelin in the ‘ghosts’, produced by haemolysis at pH6.0, 90% was utilized in the first 60s after the addition of 1mm-Ca2+ compared with 23% for ‘ghosts’ produced at pH7.0. 7. The bivalent cation ionophore A23187 increased the permeability of the ‘ghosts’ to Ca2+. Maximum effects of the ionophore (16μg/ml) were obtained by preincubating the ‘ghosts’ with the ionophore A23187 (16μg/ml) in the presence of a low concentration of Mg2+ and in the absence of Ca2+.


2003 ◽  
Vol 51 (1) ◽  
pp. 103-109 ◽  
Author(s):  
Ö. Uçar ◽  
T. J. Parkinson

The relationship between concentration of calcium ionophore A23187 and incubation time upon the proportion of spermatozoa undergoing acrosome reaction (AR) in vitro was investigated in rams from a commercial artificial insemination (AI) program. Two ejaculates were collected by artificial vagina from each of nine rams of three breeds (Finn Dorset, Charolais and Suffolk) aged 8-36months. Each ejaculate was diluted in a skimmed milk extender. Spermatozoa were thereafter incubated for 45 or 60min in modified Tyrode's medium (TALP) which contained either zero, 0.1 or 1.0µM/l A23187. After fixing in 10% formaldehyde, the number of spermatozoa that had undergone AR was determined by phase contrast microscopy. In pre-incubation samples, 21.3± 3.3% of spermatozoa had undergone AR. Percentages of acrosome reacted spermatozoa were significantly (P<0.001) increased after incubation with A23187. After incubation with 0.1µM/l A23187 for 45 and 60min there were 22.4±3.0% and 31.7±4.3% acrosome reacted spermatozoa, respectively. After incubation with 1.0µM/l A23187 for 45 and 60min there were 46.2±6.5% and 53.8±5.9% acrosome reacted spermatozoa, whilst corresponding numbers in control samples were 17.0±2.7% and 22.3±4.2%. There was also a significant (P<0.001) effect of individual animals upon the responses to different concentrations of A23187. These findings indicate that (i) A23187 can be used to assess the AR of ovine spermatozoa in vitro and (ii) there are effects of individual animals upon the proportion of spermatozoa undergoing AR.


2015 ◽  
Vol 35 (1) ◽  
pp. 374-385 ◽  
Author(s):  
Tao Luo ◽  
Qian-xing Zou ◽  
Yuan-qiao He ◽  
Hua-feng Wang ◽  
Na Li ◽  
...  

Background: Matrine is a bioactive alkaloid that has a variety of pharmacological effects and is widely used in Chinese medicine. However, its effects on male reproduction are not well known. In this study, we aimed to investigate the in vitro toxicity of matrine on mature mouse sperm. Methods: Mouse cauda epididymal sperm were exposed to matrine (10-200 µM) in vitro. The viability, motility, capacitation, acrosome reaction and fertilization ability of the mouse sperm were examined. Furthermore, the intracellular calcium concentration ([Ca2+]i), calcium (Catsper) and potassium (Ksper) currents, and phosphorylation of extracellular signal regulated kinases 1/2 (p-ERK1/2) of the sperm were analyzed. Results: After exposure to 100 µM or more of matrine, mouse cauda epididymal sperm exhibited a significant reduction in total motility, progressive motility, linear velocity and acrosome reaction rate induced by Ca2+ ionophore A23187. As a result, the fertilization ability of mouse sperm was remarkably decreased by matrine. Our data further demonstrated that matrine significantly reduced sperm [Ca2+]i and [Ca2+]i-related p-ERK1/2; however, both the CatSper and KSper currents, which are thought to interactively regulate Ca2+ influx in sperm, were not affected by matrine. Conclusion: Our findings indicate that matrine inhibits mouse sperm function by reducing sperm [Ca2+]i and suppressing the phosphorylation of ERK1/2.


1981 ◽  
Vol 91 (1) ◽  
pp. 77-82 ◽  
Author(s):  
R J Mrsny ◽  
S Meizel

The role of a K+ ion influx and Na+,K+-ATPase activity in the hamster sperm acrosome reaction (AR) was examined, using a range of concentrations of K+,K+ ionophores and a Na+,K+-ATPase inhibitor. Washed epididymal hamster sperm, capacitated in vitro in an artificial medium containing 2 mM Ca2+, 147 mM Na+, and 3, 6, 12, 18, or 24 mM K+, began undergoing the AR after 3 h of incubation. Sperm incubated in low K+ (0.9 mM) failed to undergo the AR even after 5 h of incubation. Sperm in 0.9 mM K+ could be induced to undergo the AR when either K+ (12 mM) alone or K+ (12 mM) with 0.1 microM nigericin was added after 3.5 h of incubation. The addition of K+ alone stimulated the AR in 30 min, whereas nigericin plus K+ stimulated the AR 15 min after addition. Neither nigericin added alone (0.9 mM K+) nor nigericin plus 12 mM K+ added to a low Ca2+ (0.35 mM) system resulted in acrosome reactions. Valinomycin (1 nM) did not stimulate the AR when added together with K+ (3-24 mM) to sperm incubated in 0.9 mM K+ for 3.5 h but markedly decreased sperm motility. Micromolar levels of ouabain blocked the AR when added between t = 0--3 h to sperm incubated with 3-24 mM K+. Inhibition of AR by the addition of 1 microM ouabain to sperm incubated with 3 mM K+ was completely reversed by the addition of 0.1 microM nigericin at t = 3.5 h. These results suggest that Na+,K+-ATPase activity and the resulting K+ influx are important for the mammalian sperm AR. Some similarities between requirements for the hamster sperm AR and secretory granule exocytosis are discussed.


1984 ◽  
Vol 247 (3) ◽  
pp. C234-C239 ◽  
Author(s):  
K. Sato ◽  
F. Sato

The possibility that guanosine 3'5'-cyclic monophosphate (cGMP) may be an intracellular mediator of cholinergic stimulation [methacholine chloride (MCh)] was explored by comparing the relationship between the time course of cGMP accumulation and sweat secretion by use of isolated monkey palm eccrine sweat glands. Isolated sweat glands were incubated with MCh or other agents, and tissue levels of cGMP were determined by radioimmunoassay. In parallel experiments, sweat secretion was induced from cannulated single sweat glands in vitro. Stimulation with MCh produced a Ca-dependent transient elevation of cGMP level from 10 to 80 fmol/gland, peaking at 1-2 min but returning to the basal level by 5 min. The MCh-induced cGMP level was dose dependent and was inhibited by atropine. Ionophore A23187 (2 X 10(-4) M), however, caused persistent elevation of cGMP level for at least 20 min. Neither 10(-4) M MNNG, which elevated the cGMP level comparably with MCh stimulation, nor 8-bromo-cGMP (2 mM) induced sweat secretion. Thus although a parallelism between the cGMP level and sweating rate appears to hold for the initial stage of MCh-induced sweating, it does not hold for the steady state of sweat secretion. Data could not be interpreted to favor the notion that cGMP may be the intracellular mediator of cholinergic sweat secretion.


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