Increased mitochondrial activity upon CatSper channel activation is required for mouse sperm capacitation.

ABSTRACT: To fertilize an oocyte, sperm must undergo several biochemical and functional changes known as capacitation. A key event in capacitation is calcium influx through the cation channel of sperm (CatSper). However, the molecular mechanisms of capacitation downstream of this calcium influx are not completely understood. Capacitation is also associated with an increase in mitochondrial oxygen consumption, and several lines of evidence indicate that regulated calcium entry into mitochondria increases the efficiency of oxidative respiration. Thus, we hypothesized that calcium influx through CatSper during capacitation increases mitochondrial calcium concentration and mitochondrial efficiency and thereby contributes to sperm hyperactivation and fertilization capacity. To test this hypothesis, we us

SUBMITTER: Ferreira JJ 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC8585656 | biostudies-literature | 2021 Nov

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature