Sodium-dependent pH regulation in active sea urchin sperm

Extracellular sodium ion is required for activation of motility and respiration in sea urchin sperm when semen is diluted in seawater. We have investigated the role of sodium ion in maintenance of sperm activity. Active sperm lose activity on transfer to sodium-free artificial seawater and can be reactivated with external Na+. Reactivation occurs in the range of Na+ concentration required for initial activation; ammonium can substitute for sodium in reactivation. Sperm withdrawn from sodium and sperm prior to activation share a characteristic morphology with straight or gently bent flagella. Activation of sperm by amines in the absence of Na+ is unstable. It is followed by a steady respiratory decline which is temporarily reversed by addition of more amine and stably reversed by addition of Na+. Measurements of intracellular pH indicate that the internal pH rises during amine activation. Internal reacidification occurs during the period of respiratory decline, and Na+ again elevates internal pH. Treatment with cyanide abolishes the reacidification, indicating that it depends on respiration. We conclude that the sodium requirement persists in active sperm; respiration-dependent production of H+ must be balanced by sodium-dependent H+ removal to maintain activity.