[Ca²⁺]_i oscillations in human sperm are triggered in the flagellum by membrane potential-sensitive activity of CatSper

Study question: How are progesterone (P4)-induced repetitive intracellular Ca²⁺ concentration ([Ca²⁺]_i) signals (oscillations) in human sperm generated?

Summary answer: P4-induced [Ca²⁺]_i oscillations are generated in the flagellum by membrane-potential (Vm)-dependent Ca²⁺-influx through CatSper channels, which then induce secondary Ca²⁺ mobilisation at the sperm head/neck region.

What is known already: A subset of human sperm display [Ca²⁺]_i oscillations that regulate flagellar beating and acrosome reaction. Though pharmacological manipulations indicate involvement of stored Ca²⁺ in these oscillations, influx of extracellular Ca2+ is also required.

Study design, size, duration: This was a laboratory study, that used >20 sperm donors and involved more than 100 separate experiments and analysis of more than 1,000 individual cells over a period of 2 years.

Participants/materials, setting, methods: Semen donors and patients were recruited in accordance with local ethics approval from Birmingham University and Tayside ethics committees. [Ca²⁺]_i responses and Vm of individual cells were examined by fluorescence imaging and whole-cell current clamp.

Main results and the role of chance: P4-induced [Ca²⁺]_i oscillations originated in the flagellum, spreading to the neck and head (latency of 1-2 s). K⁺-ionophore valinomycin (1 uM) was used to investigate the role of membrane potential (Vm). Direct assessment by whole-cell current-clamp confirmed that Vm in valinomycin-exposed cells was determined primarily by K⁺ equilibrium potential (E_K) and was rapidly ‘reset’ upon manipulation of [K⁺]_o. Pretreatment of sperm with valinomycin ([K⁺]_o=5.4 mM) had no effect on the P4-induced [Ca²⁺] transient (P=0.95; 8 experiments), but application of valinomycin to P4-pretreated sperm suppressed activity in 82% of oscillating cells (n=257; P=5*10-55 compared to control) and significantly reduced both amplitude and frequency of persisting oscillations (p=0.0001). Upon valinomycin washout oscillations re-started in most cells. When valinomycin was applied in saline with elevated [K⁺] the inhibitory effect of valinomycin was reduced and was dependent on E_K (P=10-25). Amplitude and frequency of [Ca²⁺]_i oscillations that persisted in the presence of valinomycin showed similar sensitivity to E_K (P<0.01). The CatSper inhibitor RU1968 (4.8 and 11 uM) caused immediate and reversible arrest of activity in 36% and 96% of oscillating cells respectively (P<10-10). 300 uM quinidine which blocks the sperm K⁺ current (Ksper) completely inhibited [Ca²⁺]_i oscillations.

Large scale data: n/a

Limitations, reasons for caution: This was an in-vitro study and caution must be taken when extrapolating these results to in vivo regulation of sperm.

Wider implications of the findings: [Ca²⁺]_i oscillations in human sperm are functionally important and their absence is associated with failed fertilisation at IVF. The data reported here provide new understanding of the mechanisms that underlie the generation (or failure) and regulation of these oscillations.

Study funding/competing interest(s): ET was in receipt of a postgraduate scholarship from the CAPES Foundation (Ministry of Education, Brazil). The authors have no conflicts of interest.