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Antonouli S, Di Nisio V, Messini C, Samara M, Salumets A, Daponte A, Anifandis G. Sperm plasma membrane ion transporters and male fertility potential: A perspective under the prism of cryopreservation. Cryobiology 2024; 114:104845. [PMID: 38184269 DOI: 10.1016/j.cryobiol.2023.104845] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/29/2023] [Revised: 12/19/2023] [Accepted: 12/31/2023] [Indexed: 01/08/2024]
Abstract
Intracellular calcium homeostasis plays a crucial role in spermatozoa by regulating physiological functions associated with sperm quality and male fertility potential. Intracellular calcium fine balance in the sperm cytoplasm is strictly dependent on sperm surface channels including the CatSper channel. CatSpers' role is to ensure the influx of extracellular calcium, while intracellular pH alkalinization serves as a stimulus for the activation of several channels, including CatSper. Overall, the generation of intracellular calcium spikes through CatSper is essential for fertilization-related processes, such as sperm hyperactivation, acrosome reaction, egg chemotaxis, and zona pellucida penetration. Multiple lines of evidence suggest that disruption in the close interaction among ions, pH, and CatSper could impair male fertility potential. In contemporary times, the growing reliance on Medically Assisted Reproduction procedures underscores the impact of cryopreservation on gametes. In fact, a large body of literature raises concerns about the cryo-damages provoked by the freeze-thawing processes, that can affect the plasma membrane integrity, thus the structure of pivotal ion channels, and the fine regulation of both intracellular calcium and pH. This review aims to provide an overview of the importance of the CatSper channel in sperm quality and further fertilization potential. Additionally, it addresses the emerging issue of cryopreservation's impact on the functionality of this sperm channel.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sevastiani Antonouli
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, Faculty of Medicine, School of Health Sciences, University of Thessaly, Larisa, Greece.
| | - Valentina Di Nisio
- Department of Gynecology and Reproductive Medicine, Karolinska University Hospital, Huddinge, Stockholm, Sweden; Division of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Department of Clinical Science, Intervention and Technology, Karolinska Institutet, Huddinge, Stockholm, Sweden.
| | - Christina Messini
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, Faculty of Medicine, School of Health Sciences, University of Thessaly, Larisa, Greece.
| | - Maria Samara
- Department of Pathology, Faculty of Medicine, School of Health Sciences, University of Thessaly, Larisa, Greece.
| | - Andres Salumets
- Department of Gynecology and Reproductive Medicine, Karolinska University Hospital, Huddinge, Stockholm, Sweden; Division of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Department of Clinical Science, Intervention and Technology, Karolinska Institutet, Huddinge, Stockholm, Sweden; Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, Institute of Clinical Medicine, University of Tartu, Tartu, Estonia; Competence Centre on Health Technologies, Tartu, Estonia.
| | - Alexandros Daponte
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, Faculty of Medicine, School of Health Sciences, University of Thessaly, Larisa, Greece.
| | - George Anifandis
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, Faculty of Medicine, School of Health Sciences, University of Thessaly, Larisa, Greece.
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