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Related Experiment Video

Updated: Jun 21, 2026

Yeast Luminometric and Xenopus Oocyte Electrophysiological Examinations of the Molecular Mechanosensitivity of TRPV4

Yeast Luminometric and Xenopus Oocyte Electrophysiological Examinations of the Molecular Mechanosensitivity of TRPV4

Published on: December 31, 2013

TRPM8, a versatile channel in human sperm.

Gerardo A De Blas¹, Alberto Darszon, Ana Y Ocampo

¹Departmento de Genética del Desarrollo y Fisiología Molecular, Instituto de Biotecnología, Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México (UNAM), Cuernavaca, Morelos, México.

|July 8, 2009

Summary

This summary is machine-generated.

The transient receptor potential melastatin 8 (TRPM8) channel is present in human sperm and plays a role in sperm function. TRPM8 activation by menthol or temperature induces the acrosome reaction and intracellular calcium increases.

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Medium-throughput Screening Assays for Assessment of Effects on Ca2+-Signaling and Acrosome Reaction in Human Sperm

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Published on: March 1, 2019

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Last Updated: Jun 21, 2026

Yeast Luminometric and Xenopus Oocyte Electrophysiological Examinations of the Molecular Mechanosensitivity of TRPV4

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Published on: December 31, 2013

Medium-throughput Screening Assays for Assessment of Effects on Ca2+-Signaling and Acrosome Reaction in Human Sperm

Medium-throughput Screening Assays for Assessment of Effects on Ca²⁺-Signaling and Acrosome Reaction in Human Sperm

Published on: March 1, 2019

Area of Science:

Spermatology
Ion Channels
Reproductive Biology

Background:

Transient Receptor Potential (TRP) channels are involved in various calcium-dependent cellular processes.
Sperm functions like motility, capacitation, and acrosome reaction are regulated by intracellular calcium.
The TRPM subfamily of TRP channels has not been previously investigated in sperm.

Purpose of the Study:

To investigate the presence and function of the TRPM8 channel in human sperm.
To determine TRPM8's role in sperm functions, including motility and acrosome reaction.

Main Methods:

RT-PCR, Western blot, and immunocytochemistry were used to confirm TRPM8 presence in human sperm.
Sperm function assays utilized TRPM8 agonists (menthol, temperature) and antagonists (BCTC, capsazepine).
Computer-aided sperm analysis and fluorescence microscopy measured motility, acrosome reaction, and intracellular calcium levels.

Main Results:

TRPM8 was detected in human sperm via molecular and cellular analyses.
Menthol induced the acrosome reaction in human sperm, an effect significantly inhibited by capsazepine and BCTC.
TRPM8 activation by menthol or temperature increased intracellular calcium, which was also blocked by antagonists.
TRPM8 activation appears to mediate the acrosome reaction via a distinct pathway from progesterone and ZP3.

Conclusions:

This study provides the first evidence of a thermosensitive channel, TRPM8, in human sperm.
TRPM8 may be involved in crucial sperm signaling pathways, potentially including thermotaxis and chemotaxis.