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Using an Extracellular Flux Analyzer to Measure Changes in Glycolysis and Oxidative Phosphorylation during Mouse Sperm Capacitation
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Acrosomal alkalinization occurs during human sperm capacitation.

Gabriela Carrasquel Martínez1, Andrés Aldana1,2, Jorge Carneiro3,4

  • 1Departamento de Genética del Desarrollo y Fisiología Molecular, Instituto de Biotecnología, Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México, Cuernavaca, Morelos, México.

Molecular Human Reproduction
|February 24, 2022
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Summary

Acrosome alkalinization, or increased pH, is essential for sperm to fertilize an egg. This study shows acrosome pH naturally rises during human sperm capacitation, a key step for fertilization.

Keywords:
acrosome alkalinizationacrosome pHacrosome reactioncapacitationhuman sperm

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Area of Science:

  • Reproductive Biology
  • Cell Physiology

Background:

  • Sperm capacitation is crucial for fertilization, involving sperm modifications in the female reproductive tract.
  • Capacitation requires increased intracellular calcium and pH, preparing sperm for the acrosome reaction (AR).
  • While acrosomal alkalinization triggers AR in mice, its natural occurrence in humans is unclear.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To investigate the natural changes in acrosome pH (pHa) during human sperm capacitation.
  • To identify the regulatory mechanisms of acrosome alkalinization.

Main Methods:

  • Single-cell imaging and image-based flow cytometry were employed to assess pHa.
  • Immunolocalization was used to determine the location of V-ATPase.
  • Functional assays involved manipulating extracellular ions and enzyme inhibitors.

Main Results:

  • Acrosome pH (pHa) progressively increases during human sperm capacitation.
  • The V-ATPase, localized to the acrosome, is a key regulator of acrosomal acidity.
  • Acrosome alkalinization depends on extracellular bicarbonate and calcium, and involves HCO3--dependent adenylyl cyclase and protein kinase A pathways.

Conclusions:

  • Progressive acrosome alkalinization is a natural event during human sperm capacitation.
  • V-ATPase regulation plays a significant role in modulating pHa during capacitation.
  • Acrosome alkalinization is a critical step preceding the acrosome reaction, essential for successful fertilization.