Back to Search
Start Over
Short-Chain Fatty Acids Modulate Sperm Migration through Olfactory Receptor 51E2 Activity
- Source :
- International Journal of Molecular Sciences; Volume 23; Issue 21; Pages: 12726
- Publication Year :
- 2022
- Publisher :
- Multidisciplinary Digital Publishing Institute, 2022.
-
Abstract
- The non-orthotopic expression of olfactory receptors (ORs) includes the male reproductive system, and in particular spermatozoa; their active ligands could be essential to sperm chemotaxis and chemical sperm–oocyte communication. OR51E2 expression has been previously reported on sperm cells’ surface. It has been demonstrated in different cellular models that olfactory receptor 51E2 (OR51E2) binds volatile short-chain fatty acids (SCFAs) as specific ligands. In the present research, we make use of Western blot, confocal microscopy colocalization analysis, and the calcium-release assay to demonstrate the activation of sperm cells through OR51E2 upon SCFAs stimulus. Moreover, we perform a novel modified swim-up assay to study the involvement of OR51E2/SCFAs in sperm migration. Taking advantage of computer-assisted sperm analysis (CASA system), we determine the kinematics parameters of sperm cells migrating towards SCFAs-enriched medium, revealing that these ligands are able to promote a more linear sperm-cell orientation. Finally, we obtain SCFAs by mass spectrometry in cervico-vaginal mucus and show for the first time that a direct incubation between cervical mucus and sperm cells could promote their activation. This study can shed light on the possible function of chemosensory receptors in successful reproduction activity, laying the foundation for the development of new strategies for the treatment of infertile individuals.
- Subjects :
- Male
olfactory receptors
OR51E2
short-chain fatty acids (SCFAs)
sperm migration
Organic Chemistry
General Medicine
Receptors, Odorant
Fatty Acids, Volatile
Spermatozoa
Olfactory Receptor Neurons
Catalysis
Computer Science Applications
Inorganic Chemistry
Semen
Animals
Female
Physical and Theoretical Chemistry
Molecular Biology
Spectroscopy
Subjects
Details
- Language :
- English
- ISSN :
- 14220067
- Database :
- OpenAIRE
- Journal :
- International Journal of Molecular Sciences; Volume 23; Issue 21; Pages: 12726
- Accession number :
- edsair.doi.dedup.....5fbc7aa9fd9f312db0128299325702e4
- Full Text :
- https://doi.org/10.3390/ijms232112726