Substance P and beta-endorphin act as possible chemoattractants of mouse sperm.
The effect of beta-endorphin and substance P on mouse sperm motion was examined in an in vitro model. The number of mouse sperm cells migrating to mediuin containing substance P in pharmacological concentrations of 5, 25, and 50 ng/mL were significantly higher than the number migrating to control. This effect was observed after 3 h at a concentration of 5 ng/mL and 1 h at 25 and 50 ng/mL. Demonstrated changes in spermatozoa behavior in the presence of substance P were time and concentration dependent. These effects were interpreted as chemotaxis but not chemokinesis of sperm induced by influence of this tachykinin on membrane receptors. The presence of beta-endorphin in incubation fluid in concentrations of 5, 25, and 50 ng/mL did not cause any visible changes or decrease sperm migration. Substance P contained in follicular fluid played a direct and important role in the process of mammalian fertilization.
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Jagiellonian University School of Medicine, Department of Biology, Kraków, Poland.
D000818:Animals; D002630:Chemotactic Factors / Q000494:pharmacology*; D004305:Dose-Response Relationship, Drug; D066298:In Vitro Techniques; D008297:Male; D051379:Mice; D008807:Mice, Inbred BALB C; D013081:Sperm Motility / Q000187:drug effects*; D013373:Substance P / Q000494:pharmacology*; D001615:beta-Endorphin / Q000494:pharmacology*
D002630:Chemotactic Factors; D013373:Substance P; D001615:beta-Endorphin