Ca2+ signalling in the control of motility and guidance in mammalian sperm

Front Biosci. 2008 May 1:13:5623-37. doi: 10.2741/3105.

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..

Publication types

  • Review

MeSH terms

  • Animals
  • Calcium / physiology*
  • Homeostasis
  • Humans
  • Male
  • Mammals
  • Nucleotides, Cyclic / physiology
  • Progesterone / physiology
  • Signal Transduction
  • Sperm Motility / physiology*
  • Spermatozoa / physiology*

Substances

  • Nucleotides, Cyclic
  • Progesterone
  • Calcium