Interaction of lipids with the plasma membrane of sperm cells. II. Evidence of a membrane thermotropic transition.
Cholesterol and phosphatidylcholine uptake from dipalmitoyl-phosphatidylcholine liposomes by rabbit spermatozoa showed a complex dependence on temperature in these experiments. At 5 degrees and 20 degrees C, the rate of lipid uptake correlated with temperature. However, from 20 degrees to 37 degrees C uptake did not evidently increased. The results in interpreted as evidence of a thermotropic transition in the sperm plasma membrane. Data are presented showing incorporation of these lipids, especially that of cholesterol, into sperm plasma membrane.
D000818:Animals; D002462:Cell Membrane / Q000378:metabolism*; D002784:Cholesterol / Q000378:metabolism*; D007700:Kinetics; D008081:Liposomes / Q000378:metabolism; D008297:Male; D011663:Pulmonary Surfactants / Q000378:metabolism*; D011817:Rabbits; D013094:Spermatozoa / Q000378:metabolism*; D013696:Temperature
D008081:Liposomes; D011663:Pulmonary Surfactants; D002784:Cholesterol