title: Critical role of CFTR in uterine bicarbonate secretion and the fertilizing capacity of sperm.
abstract: Cystic fibrosis transmembrane conductance regulator (CFTR) is a cAMP-activated Cl- channel expressed in a wide variety of epithelial cells, mutations of which are responsible for hallmark defective Cl- and HCO3- secretion seen in cystic fibrosis (CF). However, the physiological role of CFTR in reproductive tracts is far from understood although infertility has been observed in CF patients of both sexes. Previously we have demonstrated the expression of CFTR in the female reproductive tract and the involvement of CFTR in mediating anion secretion by the endometrium. Our recent results show that endometrial epithelial cells possess a cAMP-activated HCO3- transport mechanism, which could be impaired with channel blockers known to block CFTR or antisense against CFTR. Co-culture of sperm with CFTR antisense-treated endometrial cells or HCO3- secretion-defective CF epithelial cells resulted in reduced sperm capacitation and egg-fertilizing ability. Addition of HCO3- to the culture media and transfection of wild-type CFTR into CF cells rescued the fertilizing capacity of sperm. Immunostaining and Western blot revealed that CFTR is expressed in rodent sperm and intracellular measurement of pH during sperm capacitation indicated that the entry of HCO3- into sperm could be inhibited by CFTR inhibitor. These results are consistent with a critical role of CFTR in controlling uterine HCO3- secretion and sperm fertilizing capacity, suggesting that CFTR may be a potential target for post-meiotic regulation of fertility.
authors.affiliation: Epithelial Cell Biology Research Center, Department of Physiology, The Chinese University of Hong Kong, Room 410, Basic Medical Sciences Building, Shatin, Hong Kong. hsiaocchan@cuhk.edu.hk
authors.forename: Hsiao Chang
authors.initials: HC
authors.lastname: Chan
authors.forename: Qi Xian
authors.initials: QX
authors.lastname: Shi
authors.forename: Chen Xi
authors.initials: CX
authors.lastname: Zhou
authors.forename: Xiao Fei
authors.initials: XF
authors.lastname: Wang
authors.forename: Wen Ming
authors.initials: WM
authors.lastname: Xu
authors.forename: Wen Ying
authors.initials: WY
authors.lastname: Chen
authors.forename: Ai Jun
authors.initials: AJ
authors.lastname: Chen
authors.forename: Ya
authors.initials: Y
authors.lastname: Ni
authors.forename: Yu Ying
authors.initials: YY
authors.lastname: Yuan
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D001639:Bicarbonates / Q000378:metabolism*; D001692:Biological Transport / Q000235:genetics; D019005:Cystic Fibrosis Transmembrane Conductance Regulator / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism / Q000502:physiology*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D051379:Mice; D013075:Sperm Capacitation; D013094:Spermatozoa / Q000378:metabolism; D014599:Uterus / Q000378:metabolism*
chemical_list: D001639:Bicarbonates; D019005:Cystic Fibrosis Transmembrane Conductance Regulator