Effect of NGF on the Motility and Acrosome Reaction of Golden Hamster Spermatozoa In Vitro

WanZhu JIN; Akane TANAKA; Gen WATANABE; Hiroshi MATSUDA; Kazuyoshi TAYA

doi:10.1262/jrd.09-219N

Original Article

Effect of NGF on the Motility and Acrosome Reaction of Golden Hamster Spermatozoa In Vitro

WanZhu JIN, Akane TANAKA, Gen WATANABE, Hiroshi MATSUDA, Kazuyoshi TAYA

Author information

WanZhu JIN
Laboratory of Veterinary Physiology, Graduate School, Institute of Symbiotic Science and Technology, Tokyo University of Agriculture and Technology
Department of Basic Veterinary Science, The United Graduate School of Veterinary Sciences, Gifu University
Department of Cellular Molecular Physiology, Joslin Diabetes Center & Harvard Medical School
Akane TANAKA
Laboratory of Veterinary Molecular Pathology and Therapeutics, Graduate School, Institute of Symbiotic Science and Technology, Tokyo University of Agriculture and Technology
Gen WATANABE
Laboratory of Veterinary Physiology, Graduate School, Institute of Symbiotic Science and Technology, Tokyo University of Agriculture and Technology
Division of Animal Life Science, Graduate School, Institute of Symbiotic Science and Technology, Tokyo University of Agriculture and Technology
Laboratory of Veterinary Molecular Pathology and Therapeutics, Graduate School, Institute of Symbiotic Science and Technology, Tokyo University of Agriculture and Technology
Hiroshi MATSUDA
Laboratory of Veterinary Molecular Pathology and Therapeutics, Graduate School, Institute of Symbiotic Science and Technology, Tokyo University of Agriculture and Technology
Kazuyoshi TAYA
Laboratory of Veterinary Physiology, Graduate School, Institute of Symbiotic Science and Technology, Tokyo University of Agriculture and Technology
Division of Animal Life Science, Graduate School, Institute of Symbiotic Science and Technology, Tokyo University of Agriculture and Technology
Laboratory of Veterinary Molecular Pathology and Therapeutics, Graduate School, Institute of Symbiotic Science and Technology, Tokyo University of Agriculture and Technology

Keywords: Acrosome reaction, Golden hamster, Motility, Nerve growth factor (NGF), Sperm

JOURNAL FREE ACCESS

2010 Volume 56 Issue 4 Pages 437-443

DOI https://doi.org/10.1262/jrd.09-219N

View "Advance Publication" version (June 1, 2010).

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Abstract

Motility and fertilizing ability are known to be two important physiological attributes of a mature sperm, yet the mechanism by which spermatozoa mature and become motile remains largely unknown. It has been shown that nerve growth factor (NGF) is a protein essential for the development, maintenance and survival of the peripheral and central nervous systems. However, the presence of high levels of NGF protein and mRNA do not correlate with the innervations by NGF sensitive fibers in tissues such as the testis, prostate and seminal vesicles. These observations have shifted the attention of research to the role of NGF outside of the nervous system. Here, we demonstrate that NGF and its receptors TrkA and p75 are widely expressed in the testis, accessory reproductive organ, and the epididymal sperms. We also show that NGF stimulates two important aspects of sperm functions, motility and the acrosome reaction, in a time- and dose-dependent manner. NGF activated the sperm cell acrosome reaction, while addition of inhibitors specific for MAPK kinase significantly blocked the sperm acrosome reaction. Taken together, our findings suggest that NGF plays an integral role in sperm motility and the acrosome reaction through, at least in part, the MAPK signalling pathway.

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