Kcnj16 (Kir5.1) Gene Ablation Causes Subfertility and Increases the Prevalence of Morphologically Abnormal Spermatozoa.

ABSTRACT: The ability of spermatozoa to swim towards an oocyte and fertilize it depends on precise K⁺ permeability changes. Kir5.1 is an inwardly-rectifying potassium (Kir) channel with high sensitivity to intracellular H⁺ (pHi) and extracellular K⁺ concentration [K⁺]_o, and hence provides a link between pHi and [K⁺]_o changes and membrane potential. The intrinsic pHi sensitivity of Kir5.1 suggests a possible role for this channel in the pHi-dependent processes that take place during fertilization. However, despite the localization of Kir5.1 in murine spermatozoa, and its increased expression with age and sexual maturity, the role of the channel in sperm morphology, maturity, motility, and fertility is unknown. Here, we confi

SUBMITTER: Poli G 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC8199489 | biostudies-literature | 2021 Jun

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature