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  • Title: Intracellular calcium variation in heparin-capacitated bovine sperm.
    Author: Córdoba M, Santa-Coloma TA, Beorlegui NB, Beconi MT.
    Journal: Biochem Mol Biol Int; 1997 Apr; 41(4):725-33. PubMed ID: 9111934.
    Abstract:
    This report investigates the mechanisms by which heparin induces capacitation of sperm. Capacitation was determined with chlortetracycline and intracellular calcium concentration, [Ca2+]i, with FURA 2-AM. After 15 minutes incubation with heparin [Ca2+]i was increased 60% over basal, reaching a plateau thereafter. Sixty percent of calcium entry was inhibited by methoxy-verapamil, suggesting that activation of voltage dependent calcium channels (VDCC) may be involved in the process. A significant correlation (R1 = 0.88, p < 0.006) was found between the percentage of capacitated spermatozoa and the [Ca2+]i increase. The effects of heparin on both processes were blocked by the protein kinase C (PKC) inhibitors staurosporine (100%) and GF-109203X (90%). It is concluded that heparin may induce sperm capacitation and calcium influx mainly through VDCC (approx. 60%), and also through other membrane systems (40%). Both systems of calcium entry as well as the capacitation process appear to involve on PKC activity.
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