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Ca(v)2.3 (alpha1E) Ca2+ channel participates in the control of sperm function
Yu Sakata1, Hironao Saegusa, Shuqin Zong
1Department of Pharmacology and Neurobiology, Graduate School of Medicine, Tokyo Medical and Dental University, 1-5-45 Yushima, Bunkyo-ku, 113-8519, Tokyo, Japan.
Abstract:
To know the function of the Ca2+ channel containing alpha(1)2.3 (alpha1E) subunit (Ca(v)2.3 channel) in spermatozoa, we analyzed Ca2+ transients and sperm motility using a mouse strain lacking Ca(v)2.3 channel. The averaged rising rates of Ca2+ transients induced by alpha-D-mannose-bovine serum albumin in the head region of Ca(v)2.3-/- sperm were significantly lower than those of Ca(v)2.3+/+ sperm. A computer-assisted sperm motility assay revealed that straight-line velocity and linearity were greater in Ca(v)2.3-/- sperm than those in Ca(v)2.3+/+ sperm. These results suggest that the Ca(v)2.3 channel plays some roles in Ca2+ transients and the control of flagellar movement.