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Pharmacological investigation of voltage-dependent Ca2+ channels in human ejaculatory sperm in vitro

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Summary

The types of the voltage-dependent calcium channels (VDCCs) in human ejaculatory sperm and the effects of calcium channel blocker (CCB) on human sperm motility parameters in vitro were investigated. The human sperm motility parameters in vitro in response to the pharmacological agents nifedipine (NIF, inhibitor of L-type VDCC) and θ-contoxin (GVIA, inhibitor of N-type VDCC) were compared and analyzed statistically. The results showed that NIF (1, 5, 10 μmol/L) could not only significantly affect human sperm’s shape but also spermatozoa motility after incubated at least 10 min in vitro (P<0.001). GVIA (0.1, 0.5 and 1 μmol/L) could just only significantly affect human sperm’s progressive motility (a %+b %) after incubated for 20 min in vitro (P<0.01), but they both could not significantly affect spermic abnormality rate. It is suggested that L-type VDCC, non L-type VDCCs and isoform of L-type VDCC exist in the cell membrane of human sperm solely or together, and they participate in the spermic physiological processes especially the spermic motility.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Urology, Tongji Hospital, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, 430030, China

    Li Lu  (李路) (male, Doctorial Condidate), Liu Jihong  (刘继红), Li Jiagui  (李家贵) & Ye Zhangqun  (叶章群)

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  1. Li Lu  (李路)
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  2. Liu Jihong  (刘继红)
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  3. Li Jiagui  (李家贵)
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  4. Ye Zhangqun  (叶章群)
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Li, L., Liu, J., Li, J. et al. Pharmacological investigation of voltage-dependent Ca2+ channels in human ejaculatory sperm in vitro . J. Huazhong Univ. Sc. Technol. 26, 607–609 (2006). https://doi.org/10.1007/s11596-006-0534-3

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s11596-006-0534-3

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