title: Matrine compromises mouse sperm functions by a [Ca(2+)]i-related mechanism.
abstract: Matrine, a bioactive alkaloid widely used in Chinese medicine, inhibits mouse sperm functions in vitro. In this study, we investigated the reproductive toxicity of matrine to male mice in vivo. C57BL/6J mice were administered with daily doses of 0, 1, 10 and 50mg/kg matrine by intraperitoneal injection for 30 days. The results showed that matrine did not affect testis size, testis weight, sperm count and sperm viability, but it significantly inhibited total motility, progressive motility, linear velocity, capacitation and the progesterone-induced acrosome reaction of mouse sperm. Furthermore, the intracellular Ca(2+) concentration ([Ca(2+)]i), a key regulator of sperm function, was reduced in sperm of matrine-exposed mice. The current and gene expression of the sperm specific Ca(2+) channel, CatSper, which modulates Ca(2+) influx in sperm, were decreased in testes of matrine-exposed mice. These results indicate that matrine inhibits mouse sperm functions by a [Ca(2+)]i-related mechanism via CatSper channel.
authors: Institute of Life Science, Nanchang University, Nanchang, Jiangxi 330031, PR China. Electronic address: luotao@ncu.edu.cn.
authors: Tao
authors: T
authors: Luo
authors: Institute of Life Science, Nanchang University, Nanchang, Jiangxi 330031, PR China.
authors: Qian-Xing
authors: QX
authors: Zou
authors: Institute of Life Science, Nanchang University, Nanchang, Jiangxi 330031, PR China.
authors: Yuan-Qiao
authors: YQ
authors: He
authors: Institute of Life Science, Nanchang University, Nanchang, Jiangxi 330031, PR China.
authors: Hua-Feng
authors: HF
authors: Wang
authors: Institute of Life Science, Nanchang University, Nanchang, Jiangxi 330031, PR China.
authors: Tao
authors: T
authors: Wang
authors: Institute of Life Science, Nanchang University, Nanchang, Jiangxi 330031, PR China.
authors: Min
authors: M
authors: Liu
authors: Institute of Life Science, Nanchang University, Nanchang, Jiangxi 330031, PR China.
authors: Ying
authors: Y
authors: Chen
authors: Institute of Life Science, Nanchang University, Nanchang, Jiangxi 330031, PR China.
authors: Bing
authors: B
authors: Wang
mesh_terms: D000470:Alkaloids / Q000633:toxicity*; D000818:Animals; D002118:Calcium / Q000378:metabolism*; D015220:Calcium Channels / Q000235:genetics / Q000502:physiology; D008297:Male; D008810:Mice, Inbred C57BL; D011807:Quinolizines / Q000633:toxicity*; D013075:Sperm Capacitation / Q000187:drug effects; D013076:Sperm Count; D013081:Sperm Motility / Q000187:drug effects; D013094:Spermatozoa / Q000187:drug effects* / Q000378:metabolism / Q000502:physiology; D013737:Testis / Q000033:anatomy & histology / Q000187:drug effects; D000093842:Matrines
chemical_list: D000470:Alkaloids; D015220:Calcium Channels; C488642:Catsper1 protein, mouse; D011807:Quinolizines; D002118:Calcium; D000093842:Matrines
keywords: Acrosome reaction; Capacitation; CatSper; Intracellular Ca(2+) concentration; Matrine; Sperm motility