The Regulation Role of Calcium Channels in Mammalian Sperm Function: a Narrative Review with a Focus on Humans and Mice

Overview

Journal PeerJ

Specialties Biology
Environmental Health
General Medicine

Date 2024 Oct 29

PMID 39469589

Authors

Yebin Yang

Liu Yang

Xiaoqun Han

Kuaiying Wu

Guangquan Mei

Baojian Wu

Yimin Cheng

Affiliations

Soon will be listed here.

Abstract

Mammalian sperm are characterized as specialized cells, as their transcriptional and translational processes are largely inactive. Emerging researches indicate that Ca serves as a crucial second messenger in the modulation of various sperm physiological processes, such as capacitation, hyperactivation, and the acrosome reaction. Specifically, sperm-specific calcium channels, including CatSper, voltage-gated calcium channels (VGCCs), store-operated calcium channels (SOCCs), and cyclic nucleotide-gated (CNG) channels, are implicated in the regulation of calcium signaling in mammalian sperm. Calcium stores located in the sperm acrosomes, along with the IP3 receptors in the neck of the redundant nuclear envelope and the mitochondria in the tail, play significant roles in modulating intracellular Ca levels in sperm. However, the functions and mechanisms of these calcium channels in modulating mammalian sperm physiological functions have not yet been well elucidated. Therefore, by focusing on humans and mice, this study aims to provide a comprehensive review of the current advancements in research regarding the roles of calcium signaling and associated calcium channels in regulating sperm function. This endeavor seeks to enhance the understanding of calcium signaling in sperm regulation and to facilitate the development of drugs for the treatment of infertility or as non-hormonal male contraceptives.

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