Abstract
During mammalian fertilization, the contact between sperm and egg triggers increases in intracellular Ca2+ concentrations ([Ca2+]i) in sperm. Voltage-gated Ca2+ channels (CaVs) are believed to mediate the initial phase of [Ca2+]i increases in sperm induced by egg coat (zona pellucida, ZP) glycoproteins, while the sustained phase is believed to be mediated via store depletion-activated Ca2+ entry. Using patch-clamp recording and Ca2+ imaging, we show here that CaV channel currents, while found in spermatogenic cells, are not detectable in epididymal sperm and are not essential for the ZP-induced [Ca2+]i changes. Instead, CATSPER channels localized in the distal portion of sperm (the principal piece) are required for the ZP-induced [Ca2+]i changes. Furthermore, the ZP-induced [Ca2+]i increase starts from the sperm tail and propagates toward the head.
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