Concerted action between Ca2+ and hyperosmolality initiates sperm motility in amphioxus Branchiostoma belcheri tsingtauense.
This study investigated the effects of different environmental conditions on the initiation and maintenance of sperm motility in amphioxus Branchiostoma belcheri tsingtauense. The findings were that: (1) hyperosmolality in the absence of Ca(2+) ions did not initiate amphioxus sperm motility; (2) addition of Ca(2+) into EGTA-containing Ca(2+)-free artificial sea water (ASW), in which no sperm were motile, restored sperm motility; (3) Ca(2+) failed to induce sperm motility under conditions of hypoosmolality; (4) K(+) channel blockers quinine and 4-aminopiridine did not suppress the initiation of sperm motility; and (5) changes in pH did not cause sperm motility in a solution isotonic to seawater without Ca(2+). In conclusion, we inferred that a concerted action between Ca(2+) and hyperosmolality was essential to initiate motility of amphioxus sperm, whereas K(+) and pH were indispensable to maintain motility.
Department of Marine Biology, Ocean University of China, 5 Yushan Road, Qingdao 266003, PR China.
Jiahui
J
Hu
Shicui
S
Zhang
Ming
M
Yang
D015761:4-Aminopyridine / Q000494:pharmacology; D000818:Animals; D002118:Calcium / Q000494:pharmacology*; D043344:Chordata; D006863:Hydrogen-Ion Concentration; D008297:Male; D009994:Osmolar Concentration; D011188:Potassium / Q000494:pharmacology; D026902:Potassium Channel Blockers / Q000494:pharmacology; D011803:Quinine / Q000494:pharmacology; D012661:Semen / Q000166:cytology / Q000502:physiology; D013081:Sperm Motility / Q000187:drug effects / Q000502:physiology*
D026902:Potassium Channel Blockers; D011803:Quinine; D015761:4-Aminopyridine; D011188:Potassium; D002118:Calcium