Molecular Human Reproduction, Vol. 6, No. 10, 893-897,
October 2000
© 2000 European Society of Human Reproduction and Embryology
Testis and spermatogenesis |
Acrosome reaction of human spermatozoa is mainly mediated by 
1H T-type calcium channels
1 Department of Life Science, Sogang University, Seoul, and 2 Infertility Clinic, Mirae-Heemang Hospital, Seoul, Korea
Abstract
The objectives of this study were: (i) to investigate the possible role of T-type Ca2+ channels on the acrosome reaction (AR) of human spermatozoa; and (ii) to determine the sub-type of T-type calcium channels involved in the AR. The AR was induced in vitro by mannose–bovine serum albumin (BSA). The inhibitory effects of mibefradil (T-type Ca2+ channel blocker), NiCl2, or nifedipine (L-type Ca2+ channel blocker) on the mannose–BSA induced AR were evaluated in capacitated human spermatozoa. The AR was sensitively inhibited by low micromolar concentrations of mibefradil (IC50 = 1 µmol/l) in a dose-dependent manner. Low concentrations of Ni2+ (IC50 = 40 µmol/l) also inhibited the mannose–BSA induced AR. On the contrary, higher concentrations of nifedipine were required to block AR (IC50 = 60 µmol/l). Reverse transcription–polymerase chain reaction (RT–PCR) was performed to identify the sub-types of T-type channels present in human testes. Analysis of PCR products showed that only 
1H subunits are expressed in testes. The expression of the 1H subunit may be tissue specific since its mRNA was not detected in the human ovary. The present study suggests that the AR of human spermatozoa is highly associated with T-type Ca2+ channels and is mainly mediated by calcium influx through 1H T-type Ca2+ channels.
1H/acrosome reaction/spermatozoa/testis/T-type Ca2+ channels
Notes
3 To whom correspondence should be addressed at: Department of Life Science, Sogang University, Shinsu-dong, Mapo-gu, Seoul 121–742, Korea. E-mail: cthan{at}ccs.sogang.ac.kr
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