title: Occurrence of GABA and GABA receptors in human spermatozoa.
abstract: Gamma-aminobutyric acid (GABA) concentrations in seminal plasma and washed spermatozoa from normal donors were assessed by a sensitive radioreceptor assay, and were detectable in both fractions. Specific binding of [3H]-muscimol was shown to be dependent on protein concentration, temperature and incubation time. [3H]-muscimol specific binding to human sperm membranes was significantly inhibited by the GABA type A receptor (GABA(A)) antagonist, bicuculline, and by the GABA(A) agonists, muscimol and isoguvacine, but not by the GABA type B receptor (GABA(B)) agonist baclofen. Scatchard analysis of [3H]-muscimol binding yielded a linear plot consistent with a single population of binding sites with a dissociation constant in the low nanomolar range. Incubation with GABA at a high micromolar concentration for 3 h under capacitating conditions resulted in an increase in the percentage of spermatozoa showing hyperactivated motility as assessed by computerized motility analyser. However, low micromolar concentrations of the GABA(A) agonist, muscimol, were sufficient to significantly increase sperm hyperactivity. These results suggest that the effect of GABA on human sperm motility might be mediated through a specific GABA(A) receptor.
authors.affiliation: Instituto de Biologia y Medicina Experimental, Buenos Aires, Argentina.
authors.forename: M N
authors.initials: MN
authors.lastname: Ritta
authors.forename: J C
authors.initials: JC
authors.lastname: Calamera
authors.forename: D E
authors.initials: DE
authors.lastname: Bas
mesh_terms: D001640:Bicuculline / Q000494:pharmacology; D002462:Cell Membrane / Q000187:drug effects / Q000378:metabolism; D018756:GABA Antagonists / Q000494:pharmacology; D006801:Humans; D007539:Isonicotinic Acids / Q000494:pharmacology; D008297:Male; D009118:Muscimol / Q000378:metabolism; D018079:Receptors, GABA / Q000032:analysis / Q000378:metabolism*; D012661:Semen / Q000737:chemistry / Q000378:metabolism; D013081:Sperm Motility; D013094:Spermatozoa / Q000187:drug effects / Q000378:metabolism*; D014316:Tritium; D005680:gamma-Aminobutyric Acid / Q000032:analysis* / Q000378:metabolism* / Q000494:pharmacology
chemical_list: D018756:GABA Antagonists; D007539:Isonicotinic Acids; D018079:Receptors, GABA; D014316:Tritium; D009118:Muscimol; D005680:gamma-Aminobutyric Acid; D001640:Bicuculline; C015300:isoguvacine