Effects of extracellular ions on the reactivation of human spermatozoa preserved in electrolyte-free solution.
It has previously been reported that human spermatozoa preserved in an electrolyte-free solution can survive for several weeks at 4 degrees C. However, the motility of spermatozoa after preservation cannot be restored when incubated at 37 degrees C, unless reactivated by extracellular alkalisation. Under weak acidic conditions, the reactivation is induced by > or = 10 mmol l-1 Na+ and inhibited by a Na(+)-H+ antiporter inhibitor. The addition of > or = 0.1 mmol l-1 K+ also induces the reactivation. In the present study, the reactivation was induced by > or = 0.1 mmol l-1 Rb+ or > or = 1 mmol l-1 Cs+ at an acidic pH. The maximum motility rate with K+, Rb+ or Cs+ was obtained at 10-20 mmol l-1 and inhibited by 10(-5)-10(-2) mol l-1 ouabain in a dose-dependent manner, while ouabain had no effect on the Na(+)-induced reactivation. The addition of K+ further increased sperm motility reactivated by Na+, which was also inhibited by ouabain. The addition of Ca2+ did not induce the reactivation or increase sperm motility reactivated by Na+ or K+. It was concluded that activation of the ouabain-sensitive Na(+)-K(+)-ATPase and Na(+)-H+ exchange mechanism has an important role in sperm motility.
Saito
K
K
Department of Urology, Yokohama City University School of Medicine, Japan.
Kinoshita
Y
Y
Yumura
Y
Y
Iwasaki
A
A
Hosaka
M
M
D002118:Calcium / Q000494:pharmacology; D004573:Electrolytes; D004791:Enzyme Inhibitors / Q000494:pharmacology; D006801:Humans; D066298:In Vitro Techniques; D007477:Ions; D008297:Male; D010042:Ouabain / Q000494:pharmacology; D011188:Potassium / Q000494:pharmacology; D012662:Semen Preservation / Q000379:methods; D012964:Sodium / Q000494:pharmacology; D017923:Sodium-Hydrogen Exchangers / Q000378:metabolism; D000254:Sodium-Potassium-Exchanging ATPase / Q000037:antagonists & inhibitors / Q000378:metabolism; D012996:Solutions; D013081:Sperm Motility / Q000187:drug effects; D013094:Spermatozoa / Q000187:drug effects* / Q000502:physiology*
D004573:Electrolytes; D004791:Enzyme Inhibitors; D007477:Ions; D017923:Sodium-Hydrogen Exchangers; D012996:Solutions; D010042:Ouabain; D012964:Sodium; D000254:Sodium-Potassium-Exchanging ATPase; D011188:Potassium; D002118:Calcium