Significance of intracellular calcium and cyclic adenosine 3',5'-monophosphate in the mechanisms by which prostaglandins influence human sperm function
in ReproductionSearch for other papers by R. J. Aitken in
Current site
Google Scholar
PubMed
Search for other papers by S. Irvine in
Current site
Google Scholar
PubMed
Search for other papers by R. W. Kelly in
Current site
Google Scholar
PubMed
Summary. The selective ability of PGE-1 and PGE-2 to enhance the capacity of human spermatozoa for hamster oocyte penetration was dependent upon high concentrations (1·7 mm) of extracellular Ca2+ and a prolonged (4 h) duration of exposure, and insensitive to the Ca2+ channel antagonist, verapamil. Studies with the intracellular calcium indicator Quin-2 indicated that exposure to PGE-1 and PGE-2, but not PGF-2α, induced a significant rise in the levels of cytoplasmic Ca2+, suggesting that an ionophore-like action might be responsible for the ability of the E-series prostaglandins to influence sperm function.
Stimulation of oocyte penetration with PGE-1 and PGE-2 was significantly enhanced when these compounds were presented to the spermatozoa in medium of high osmolarity (410 mosmol). A combination of PGE-1 in hyperosmotic medium did not significantly influence sperm function in cases of oligozoospermia, although it was effective with patients exhibiting idiopathic infertility.
Exposure to high doses of PGE-1 and PGE-2, but not 19-hydroxy PGE or PGF-2α, also induced a significant rise in the cyclic AMP content of human spermatozoa. This effect did not appear to be involved in the enhancement of fertilization rates because (1) it did not exhibit the same absolute dependence on high levels of extracellular Ca2+ as did the fertilization responses and (2) the enhancement of oocyte penetration and the elevation of cAMP were independent of each other within the patient population.
Reproduction is committed to supporting researchers in demonstrating the impact of their articles published in the journal.
The two types of article metrics we measure are (i) more traditional full-text views and pdf downloads, and (ii) Altmetric data, which shows the wider impact of articles in a range of non-traditional sources, such as social media.
More information is on the Reasons to publish page.
| Sept 2018 onwards | Past Year | Past 30 Days | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Full Text Views | 322 | 80 | 14 |
| PDF Downloads | 107 | 25 | 1 |
Online ISSN: 1741-7899
Print ISSN: 1470-1626
Strengthening biomedical communities
to advance science and health
CONTACT US
Bioscientifica Ltd | Starling House | 1600 Bristol Parkway North | Bristol BS34 8YU | UK
Bioscientifica Ltd | Registered in England no 3190519