Projects per year
Abstract
Study question: Does progesterone in human follicular fluid (hFF) activate CatSper and do other components of hFF modulate this effect and/or contribute separately to hFF-induced Ca2+ signaling?
Summary answer: hFF potently stimulates CatSper and increases [Ca2+]i, primarily due to high concentrations of progesterone, however other components of hFF also contribute to [Ca2+]i signaling, including modulation of CatSper channel activity and inhibition of [Ca2+]i oscillations.
What is known already: CatSper, the principal Ca2+ channel in spermatozoa, is progesterone-sensitive and essential for fertility. Both hFF and progesterone, which is present in hFF, influence sperm function and increase their [Ca2+]i.
Study design, size, duration: This basic medical research study used semen samples from >40 donors and hFF from >50 patients who were undergoing surgical oocyte retrieval for IVF/ICSI.
Participants/materials, setting, methods: Semen donors and patients were recruited in accordance with local ethics approval (13/ES/0091) from the East of Scotland Research Ethics Service REC1. Activities of CatSper and KSper were assessed by patch clamp. Sperm [Ca2+]i responses were examined in sperm populations and single cells. Computer-assisted sperm semenperm? analysis (CASA) parameters and penetration into viscous media were used to assess functional effects.
Main results and the role of chance: hFF and progesterone significantly potentiated CatSper currents. Under quasi-physiological conditions, hFF (up to 50%) failed to alter membrane K+ conductance or current reversal potential. hFF and progesterone (at an equivalent concentration) stimulated similar biphasic [Ca2+]i signals both in sperm populations and single cells. At a high hFF concentration (10%), the sustained (plateau) component of the [Ca2+]i signal was consistently greater than that induced by progesterone alone. In single cell recordings, 1% hFF induced [Ca2+]i oscillations similarly to progesterone but with 10% hFF generation of [Ca2+]i oscillations was suppressed. After treatment with to ‘strip’ lipid-derived mediators, hFF failed to significantly stimulate CatSper currents but induced small [Ca2+]i responses that were greater than those induced by the equivalent the concentration of progesterone after stripping. Similar [Ca2+]i responses were observed when sperm pre-treated with 3 M progesterone (to desensitise progesterone responses) were stimulated with hFF or stripped hFF. hFF stimulated viscous media penetration and was more effective than the equivalent does of progesterone.
Large scale data: N/A
Limitations, reasons for caution: This was an in-vitro study. Caution must be taken when extrapolating these results in vivo.
Wider implications of the findings: This study directly demonstrates that hFF activates CatSper and establishes that the biologically important effects of hFF reflect, at least in part, action on this channel, primarily via progesterone. However, these experiments also demonstrate that other components of hFF both contribute to the [Ca2+]i signal and modulate the activation of CatSper. These Ssimple in-vitro experiments performed out of the context of the complex in-vivo environment need to be interpreted with caution.
Summary answer: hFF potently stimulates CatSper and increases [Ca2+]i, primarily due to high concentrations of progesterone, however other components of hFF also contribute to [Ca2+]i signaling, including modulation of CatSper channel activity and inhibition of [Ca2+]i oscillations.
What is known already: CatSper, the principal Ca2+ channel in spermatozoa, is progesterone-sensitive and essential for fertility. Both hFF and progesterone, which is present in hFF, influence sperm function and increase their [Ca2+]i.
Study design, size, duration: This basic medical research study used semen samples from >40 donors and hFF from >50 patients who were undergoing surgical oocyte retrieval for IVF/ICSI.
Participants/materials, setting, methods: Semen donors and patients were recruited in accordance with local ethics approval (13/ES/0091) from the East of Scotland Research Ethics Service REC1. Activities of CatSper and KSper were assessed by patch clamp. Sperm [Ca2+]i responses were examined in sperm populations and single cells. Computer-assisted sperm semenperm? analysis (CASA) parameters and penetration into viscous media were used to assess functional effects.
Main results and the role of chance: hFF and progesterone significantly potentiated CatSper currents. Under quasi-physiological conditions, hFF (up to 50%) failed to alter membrane K+ conductance or current reversal potential. hFF and progesterone (at an equivalent concentration) stimulated similar biphasic [Ca2+]i signals both in sperm populations and single cells. At a high hFF concentration (10%), the sustained (plateau) component of the [Ca2+]i signal was consistently greater than that induced by progesterone alone. In single cell recordings, 1% hFF induced [Ca2+]i oscillations similarly to progesterone but with 10% hFF generation of [Ca2+]i oscillations was suppressed. After treatment with to ‘strip’ lipid-derived mediators, hFF failed to significantly stimulate CatSper currents but induced small [Ca2+]i responses that were greater than those induced by the equivalent the concentration of progesterone after stripping. Similar [Ca2+]i responses were observed when sperm pre-treated with 3 M progesterone (to desensitise progesterone responses) were stimulated with hFF or stripped hFF. hFF stimulated viscous media penetration and was more effective than the equivalent does of progesterone.
Large scale data: N/A
Limitations, reasons for caution: This was an in-vitro study. Caution must be taken when extrapolating these results in vivo.
Wider implications of the findings: This study directly demonstrates that hFF activates CatSper and establishes that the biologically important effects of hFF reflect, at least in part, action on this channel, primarily via progesterone. However, these experiments also demonstrate that other components of hFF both contribute to the [Ca2+]i signal and modulate the activation of CatSper. These Ssimple in-vitro experiments performed out of the context of the complex in-vivo environment need to be interpreted with caution.
Original language | English |
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Pages (from-to) | 1995-2006 |
Number of pages | 12 |
Journal | Human Reproduction |
Volume | 32 |
Issue number | 10 |
Early online date | 28 Aug 2017 |
DOIs | |
Publication status | Published - 1 Oct 2017 |
Keywords
- follicular fluid
- patch clamp electrophysiology
- CatSper
- potassium channel
- spermatozoa
Fingerprint
Dive into the research topics of 'Complex CatSper-dependent and independent [Ca2+] signaling induced by human follicular fluid'. Together they form a unique fingerprint.Projects
- 1 Finished
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Physiological Studies of Sperm from Normal and Sub Fertile Men (joint with Universities of Birmingham and Durham)
Barratt, C. (Investigator) & Wilson, S. (Investigator)
1/04/13 → 1/04/16
Project: Research
Profiles
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Barratt, Christopher
- Diabetes Endocrinology and Reproductive Biology - Professor (Teaching and Research)
Person: Academic
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Martins Da Silva, Sarah
- Diabetes Endocrinology and Reproductive Biology - Clinical Reader (Teaching and Research)
Person: Academic