Abstract
Ca2+ signalling in the sperm plays a key role in the regulation of events preceding fertilisation. Control of motility, including hyperactivation and chemotaxis, is particularly dependent upon [Ca2+]i signalling in the principal piece of the flagellum and the midpiece. Here we briefly review the processes that contribute to regulation of [Ca2+]i in mammalian sperm and then examine two areas: (i) the regulation of hyperactivation by [Ca2+]i and the pivotal roles played by CatSpers (sperm-specific, Ca2+-permeable membrane channels) and intracellular Ca2+ stores in this process and (ii) the elevation of [Ca2+]i and consequent modulation of motility caused by progesterone including the ability of progesterone at micromolar concentrations to cause sperm hyperactivation and/or accumulation and the recent discovery that progesterone, at picomolar concentrations, acts as a chemoattractant for mammalian sperm..
Original language | English |
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Pages (from-to) | 5623-37 |
Number of pages | 15 |
Journal | Frontiers in Bioscience |
Volume | 13 |
Publication status | Published - 1 Jan 2008 |
Keywords
- hyperactivation
- calcium
- motility
- sperm
- ryanodine receptor
- CatSper
- progesterone
- chemotaxis
- calcium store
- review