title: 17β-estradiol modifies human spermatozoa mitochondrial function in vitro.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  It is assumed that spermatozoa are target cells for estrogens however, the mechanism of their action is not fully understood. The aim of this study was to investigate the influence of 17β-estradiol (E2) on the human spermatozoa mitochondrial function.
  
  
  METHODS
  The effects on spermatozoa of E2 at final concentrations of 10(-10), 10(-8) and 10(-6) M were studied regarding the following phenomena: (1) kinetics of intracellular free calcium ions changes (using Fluo-3), (2) mitochondrial membrane potential ΔΨm (using JC-1 fluorochrome), (3) production of superoxide anion in mitochondria (using MitoSOX RED dye), (4) spermatozoa vitality (propidium iodide staining) and (5) phosphatidylserine membrane translocation (staining with annexin V marked with fluorescein).
  
  
  RESULTS
  E2 initiated rapid (within a few seconds) dose dependent increase of intracellular free calcium ions concentration. E2 was changing the mitochondrial membrane potential: 10(-8) M initiated significant increase of percentage of high ΔΨm spermatozoa while the 10(-6) M induced significant decrease of high ΔΨm cells. In spermatozoa stimulated with E2 10(-6) M a significant increase of mitochondrial superoxide anion level was observed. 2 h incubation of spermatozoa with E2 did not alter cells vitality nor stimulated phosphatidylserine membrane translocation, for all three doses.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  17β-estradiol affected the human spermatozoa mitochondrial function. E2 in low concentration improved while in high concentration might deteriorate mitochondrial function.
authors: Department of Cell Biology, Faculty of Health Sciences, Poznan University of Medical Sciences, Rokietnicka 5D, 60-806, Poznan, Poland. mkotwic@ump.edu.pl.
authors: Malgorzata
authors: http://orcid.org/0000-0002-9802-374X
authors: M
authors: Kotwicka
authors: Department of Cell Biology, Faculty of Health Sciences, Poznan University of Medical Sciences, Rokietnicka 5D, 60-806, Poznan, Poland.
authors: Izabela
authors: I
authors: Skibinska
authors: Department of Cell Biology, Faculty of Health Sciences, Poznan University of Medical Sciences, Rokietnicka 5D, 60-806, Poznan, Poland.
authors: Magdalena
authors: M
authors: Jendraszak
authors: Division of Infertility and Reproductive Endocrinology, Faculty of Medicine I, Poznan University of Medical Sciences, Polna 33, 60-535, Poznan, Poland.
authors: Piotr
authors: P
authors: Jedrzejczak
mesh_terms: D004305:Dose-Response Relationship, Drug; D004958:Estradiol / Q000494:pharmacology*; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D053078:Membrane Potential, Mitochondrial / Q000187:drug effects / Q000502:physiology*; D008928:Mitochondria / Q000187:drug effects / Q000502:physiology*; D013081:Sperm Motility / Q000187:drug effects / Q000502:physiology; D013094:Spermatozoa / Q000187:drug effects / Q000502:physiology*
chemical_list: D004958:Estradiol
keywords: Estrogen; Human spermatozoa; Mitochondrial membrane potential; Mitochondrial superoxide anion