cGMP and cyclic nucleotide-gated channels participate in mouse sperm capacitation

FEBS Lett. 2012 Jan 20;586(2):149-53. doi: 10.1016/j.febslet.2011.12.006. Epub 2011 Dec 16.

Abstract

During capacitation of mammalian sperm intracellular [Ca(2+)] and cyclic nucleotides increase, suggesting that CNG channels play a role in the physiology of sperm. Here we study the effect of capacitation, 8Br-cAMP (8-bromoadenosine 3',5'-cyclic monophosphate) and 8Br-cGMP (8-bromoguanosine 3',5'-cyclic monophosphate) on the macroscopic ionic currents of mouse sperm, finding the existence of different populations of sperm, in terms of the recorded current and its response to cyclic nucleotides. Our results show that capacitation and cyclic nucleotides increase the ionic current, having a differential sensitivity to cGMP (cyclic guanosine monophosphate) and cAMP (cyclic adenosine monophosphate). Using a specific inhibitor we determine the contribution of CNG channels to macroscopic current and capacitation.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • 8-Bromo Cyclic Adenosine Monophosphate / analogs & derivatives
  • 8-Bromo Cyclic Adenosine Monophosphate / pharmacology
  • Animals
  • Cyclic AMP / pharmacology
  • Cyclic GMP / analogs & derivatives
  • Cyclic GMP / metabolism
  • Cyclic GMP / pharmacology
  • Cyclic GMP / physiology*
  • Cyclic Nucleotide-Gated Cation Channels / agonists
  • Cyclic Nucleotide-Gated Cation Channels / antagonists & inhibitors
  • Cyclic Nucleotide-Gated Cation Channels / metabolism
  • Cyclic Nucleotide-Gated Cation Channels / physiology*
  • Dose-Response Relationship, Drug
  • Drug Resistance / drug effects
  • Male
  • Membrane Potentials / drug effects
  • Mice
  • Sperm Capacitation* / drug effects
  • Sperm Capacitation* / physiology
  • Spermatozoa / drug effects
  • Spermatozoa / physiology

Substances

  • Cyclic Nucleotide-Gated Cation Channels
  • 8-Bromo Cyclic Adenosine Monophosphate
  • 8-bromocyclic GMP
  • 8-chloro-cyclic adenosine monophosphate
  • Cyclic AMP
  • Cyclic GMP