Starvation induces an increase in intracellular calcium and potentiates the progesterone-induced mouse sperm acrosome reaction.

ABSTRACT: We have recently reported two different methodologies that improve sperm functionality. The first method involved transient exposure to the Ca²⁺ ionophore A₂₃₁₈₇ , and the second required sperm incubation in the absence of energy nutrients (starvation). Both methods were associated with an initial loss of motility followed by a rescue step involving ionophore removal or addition of energy metabolites, respectively. In this work, we show that starvation is accompanied by an increase in intracellular Ca²⁺ ([Ca²⁺ ]_i ). Additionally, the starved cells acquire a significantly enhanced capacity to undergo a progesterone-induced acrosome reaction. Electrophysiological measurements show that CatSper channel remains active in starvation conditi

SUBMITTER: Sanchez-Cardenas C 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC8441833 | biostudies-literature | 2021 Apr

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature