1. Academic Validation
  2. Oligomycin A-induced inhibition of mitochondrial ATP-synthase activity suppresses boar sperm motility and in vitro capacitation achievement without modifying overall sperm energy levels

Oligomycin A-induced inhibition of mitochondrial ATP-synthase activity suppresses boar sperm motility and in vitro capacitation achievement without modifying overall sperm energy levels

  • Reprod Fertil Dev. 2014;26(6):883-97. doi: 10.1071/RD13145.
Laura Ramió-Lluch 1 Marc Yeste 1 Josep M Fernández-Novell 2 Efrén Estrada 1 Luiz Rocha 1 José A Cebrián-Pérez 3 Teresa Muiño-Blanco 3 Ilona I Concha 4 Alfredo Ramírez 4 Joan E Rodríguez-Gil 1
Affiliations

Affiliations

  • 1 Department of Animal Medicine and Surgery, School of Veterinary Medicine, Autonomous University of Barcelona, E-08193 Bellaterra, Barcelona, Spain.
  • 2 Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, University of Barcelona, E-08028 Barcelona, Spain.
  • 3 Department of Biochemistry and Molecular and Cell Biology, I. U. C. A., School of Veterinary Medicine, University of Zaragoza, E-50013 Zaragoza, Spain.
  • 4 Institute of Biochemistry and Microbiology and Institute of Animal Science, Universidad Austral de Chile, Independencia 641, Valdivia, Chile.
Abstract

Incubation of boar spermatozoa in a capacitation medium with oligomycin A, a specific inhibitor of the F0 component of the mitochondrial ATP Synthase, induced an immediate and almost complete immobilisation of cells. Oligomycin A also inhibited the ability of spermatozoa to achieve feasible in vitro capacitation (IVC), as measured through IVC-compatible changes in motility patterns, tyrosine phosphorylation levels of the acrosomal p32 protein, membrane fluidity and the ability of spermatozoa to achieve subsequent, progesterone-induced in vitro acrosome exocytosis (IVAE). Both inhibitory effects were caused without changes in the rhythm of O2 consumption, intracellular ATP levels or mitochondrial membrane potential (MMP). IVAE was accompanied by a fast and intense peak in O2 consumption and ATP levels in control spermatozoa. Oligomycin A also inhibited progesterone-induced IVAE as well as the concomitant peaks of O2 consumption and ATP levels. The effect of oligomycin on IVAE was also accompanied by concomitant alterations in the IVAE-induced changes on intracellular Ca(2+) levels and MMP. Our results suggest that the oligomycin A-sensitive mitochondrial ATP-synthase activity is instrumental in the achievement of an adequate boar sperm motion pattern, IVC and IVAE. However, this effect seems not to be linked to changes in the overall maintenance of adequate energy levels in stages other than IVAE.

Figures
Products