Capacitation increases glucose consumption in murine sperm.

TitleCapacitation increases glucose consumption in murine sperm.
Publication TypeJournal Article
Year of Publication2020
AuthorsHidalgo DM, Romarowski A, Gervasi MG, Navarrete F, Balbach M, Salicioni AM, Levin LR, Buck J, Visconti PE
JournalMol Reprod Dev
Date Published2020 Sep 10
ISSN1098-2795
Abstract

Mammalian sperm acquire fertilization capacity in the female reproductive tract in a process known as capacitation. During capacitation, sperm change their motility pattern (i.e., hyperactivation) and become competent to undergo the acrosome reaction. We have recently shown that, in the mouse, sperm capacitation is associated with increased uptake of fluorescently labeled deoxyglucose and with extracellular acidification suggesting enhanced glycolysis. Consistently, in the present work we showed that glucose consumption is enhanced in media that support mouse sperm capacitation suggesting upregulation of glucose metabolic pathways. The increase in glucose consumption was modulated by bicarbonate and blocked by protein kinase A and soluble adenylyl cyclase inhibitors. Moreover, permeable cyclic adenosine monophosphate (cAMP) agonists increase glucose consumption in sperm incubated in conditions that do not support capacitation. Also, the increase in glucose consumption was reduced when sperm were incubated in low calcium conditions. Interestingly, this reduction was not overcome with cAMP agonists. Despite these findings, glucose consumption of sperm from Catsper1 knockout mice was similar to the one from wild type suggesting that other sources of calcium are also relevant. Altogether, these results suggest that cAMP and calcium pathways are involved in the regulation of glycolytic energy pathways during murine sperm capacitation.

DOI10.1002/mrd.23421
Alternate JournalMol Reprod Dev
PubMed ID32914502
Grant ListPO14005 / / European Social Fund /
/ / Lalor Foundation /
HD-038082 / NH / NIH HHS / United States
HD088571 / NH / NIH HHS / United States