Function of aquaporins in female and male reproductive systems.
The flow of water and some other small molecules across cell membranes is important in many of the processes underlying reproduction. The fluid movement is strongly associated with the presence of aquaporins (AQPs) in the female and male reproductive systems. It has been suggested that AQPs mediate water movement into the antral follicle and play important roles in follicle development. AQPs are known to be involved in the early stage of spermatogenesis, in the secretion of tubule liquid and in the concentration and storage of spermatozoa. Fluid reabsorption in some regions of the male reproductive tract is under steroid hormone control and could be mediated by various AQPs. Also AQPs take part in the processes of fertilization, blastocyst formation (as the pathway for transtrophoectodermal water movement during cavitation) and implantation. Alterations in the expression and function or regulation of AQPs have already been demonstrated in disorders of the male reproductive system, such as abnormal sperm motility, the abnormal epididymis and infertility seen in cystic fibrosis, and varicocele. This article extensively reviews the distribution of AQPs in mammalian reproductive tissues and discusses their possible physiological and pathophysiological roles.
Huang
He-Feng
HF
Department of Reproductive Endocrinology, Women's Hospital, School of Medicine, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, Zhejiang, China. huanghefg@hotmail.com
He
Rong-Huan
RH
Sun
Chao-Chao
CC
Zhang
Yu
Y
Meng
Qing-Xia
QX
Ma
Ying-Ying
YY
D000653:Amniotic Fluid / Q000502:physiology; D000818:Animals; D020346:Aquaporins / Q000502:physiology*; D001692:Biological Transport; D001755:Blastocyst / Q000502:physiology; D010064:Embryo Implantation / Q000502:physiology; D005260:Female; D005836:Genitalia, Female / Q000502:physiology*; D005837:Genitalia, Male / Q000502:physiology*; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D010063:Ovum / Q000502:physiology; D011247:Pregnancy; D013081:Sperm Motility; D013091:Spermatogenesis / Q000502:physiology
D020346:Aquaporins