Time-Lapse Flow Cytometry: A Robust Tool to Assess Physiological Parameters Related to the Fertilizing Capability of Human Sperm.

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

SUBMITTER: Matamoros-Volante A 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC7796328 | biostudies-literature | 2020 Dec

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature