Importance of sodium ion to the progesterone-initiated acrosome reaction in human sperm

Molecular Reproduction and Development
M A Garcia, S Meizel

Abstract

Progesterone (P) has previously been shown to rapidly increase free intracellular calcium concentration ([Ca2+]i), and subsequently to initiate the acrosome reaction (AR) in capacitated human sperm. The present study used cytochemical analysis of the AR, and spectrofluorometric determination of sperm [Ca2+]i and intracellular pH (pHi) in Na(+)-containing and Na(+)-deficient bicarbonate/CO2-buffered media to investigate the role of Na+ in these P-initiated changes. We found that P failed to initiate the AR in Na(+)-deficient medium, and that the initial rise in [Ca2+]i following P (1 microgram/ml) stimulation was similar for both media; however, the [Ca2+]i in the Na(+)-deficient medium regressed more rapidly and plateaued at a significantly lower [Ca2+]i. Moreover, the differences in plateau [Ca2+]i were directly related to the percentage of acrosome reactions, suggesting that the plateau phase is not due to [Ca2+]i, but rather to the release of intracellular fura-2 into the medium during the AR. These [Ca2+]i, and AR results are in contrast to those reported previously by others for human sperm and suggest that a Na(+)-dependent mechanism is important in the P-initiated human sperm AR. Such a Na+ requirement may reflect the in...Continue Reading

References

Oct 1, 1992·Fertility and Sterility·J TesarikA Carreras
Mar 1, 1990·Molecular Reproduction and Development·C A HoldenA O Trounson
Feb 1, 1990·Cell Calcium·M W RoeB Herman
Jan 1, 1989·Archives of Andrology·C B Lindemann, K S Kanous
Jun 1, 1970·Biology of Reproduction·J M Bedford
Feb 1, 1984·Biological Reviews of the Cambridge Philosophical Society·S Meizel
Jan 1, 1984·Journal of Reproduction and Fertility·R V HyneA Lopata
Oct 1, 1982·The Journal of Cell Biology·T J RinkT Pozzan
Feb 10, 1983·Nature·R D Vaughan-JonesD A Eisner
Apr 1, 1995·Molecular Reproduction and Development·W L Vredenburgh-Wilberg, J J Parrish
Aug 24, 1995·Biochemical and Biophysical Research Communications·K O Turner, S Meizel
Aug 15, 1993·The Biochemical Journal·C ForestaF Di Virgilio
Mar 1, 1993·Journal of Reproduction and Fertility·L R FraserS Sayed
May 1, 1996·Biology of Reproduction·K SabeurS Meizel

❮ Previous
Next ❯

Citations

Jan 16, 1999·Molecular Reproduction and Development·M A Garcia, S Meizel
Apr 28, 2004·Molecular and Cellular Endocrinology·Mark A Baker, R John Aitken
Feb 15, 2002·Human Fertility : Journal of the British Fertility Society·Susan Benoff
Jun 6, 2000·Developmental Biology·J C Kirkman-BrownS J Publicover
Apr 25, 2000·Biology of Reproduction·C PatratP Jouannet
Jan 20, 2006·Molecular Human Reproduction·C BrayS Meizel
Jun 17, 2019·Reviews on Environmental Health·Mahdiyeh MirnamnihaAsghar Beigi Harchegani
Apr 30, 1999·Physiological Reviews·A DarszonF Espinosa

❮ Previous
Next ❯

Related Concepts

Trending Feeds

COVID-19

Coronaviruses encompass a large family of viruses that cause the common cold as well as more serious diseases, such as the ongoing outbreak of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19; formally known as 2019-nCoV). Coronaviruses can spread from animals to humans; symptoms include fever, cough, shortness of breath, and breathing difficulties; in more severe cases, infection can lead to death. This feed covers recent research on COVID-19.

Blastomycosis

Blastomycosis fungal infections spread through inhaling Blastomyces dermatitidis spores. Discover the latest research on blastomycosis fungal infections here.

Nuclear Pore Complex in ALS/FTD

Alterations in nucleocytoplasmic transport, controlled by the nuclear pore complex, may be involved in the pathomechanism underlying multiple neurodegenerative diseases including Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis and Frontotemporal Dementia. Here is the latest research on the nuclear pore complex in ALS and FTD.

Applications of Molecular Barcoding

The concept of molecular barcoding is that each original DNA or RNA molecule is attached to a unique sequence barcode. Sequence reads having different barcodes represent different original molecules, while sequence reads having the same barcode are results of PCR duplication from one original molecule. Discover the latest research on molecular barcoding here.

Chronic Fatigue Syndrome

Chronic fatigue syndrome is a disease characterized by unexplained disabling fatigue; the pathology of which is incompletely understood. Discover the latest research on chronic fatigue syndrome here.

Evolution of Pluripotency

Pluripotency refers to the ability of a cell to develop into three primary germ cell layers of the embryo. This feed focuses on the mechanisms that underlie the evolution of pluripotency. Here is the latest research.

Position Effect Variegation

Position Effect Variagation occurs when a gene is inactivated due to its positioning near heterochromatic regions within a chromosome. Discover the latest research on Position Effect Variagation here.

STING Receptor Agonists

Stimulator of IFN genes (STING) are a group of transmembrane proteins that are involved in the induction of type I interferon that is important in the innate immune response. The stimulation of STING has been an active area of research in the treatment of cancer and infectious diseases. Here is the latest research on STING receptor agonists.

Microbicide

Microbicides are products that can be applied to vaginal or rectal mucosal surfaces with the goal of preventing, or at least significantly reducing, the transmission of sexually transmitted infections. Here is the latest research on microbicides.