Effect of nickel chloride on Mouse sperm capacitation in vitro

MONCLUS MA; CABRILLANA ME; SOLA AJ; VINCENTI AE; FORNÉS MW.

Uspallata, Mendoza

Congreso; Reunión Conjunta de: XXIII Reunión Científica Anual de la Sociedad de Biología de Cuyo y III Reunión Científica de la Sociedad Argentina de Microscopía (SAMIC).; 2005

Sociedad de Biología de Cuyo

Capacitation is a process which sperm must undergo to acquire fertilization ability inside the female genital tract. Protein Tyrosine phosphorilation (p-Y) was selects as a marker for sperm capacitation. This process in vitro depends on two mains factors: culture media composition (presence of bovine serum albumin, BSA; and bicarbonate) and incubation time (90 min). NiCl2 a Calcium channel blocker Was added to the capacitation media to evaluate its possible influence on Mouse sperm p-Y. Concentrations from 0 to 0,9 mM of NiCl2, either in the presence or absence of BSA, bicarbonate and different incubations periods were tested. Motility and vitality were also checked to avoid possible toxic effects on sperm. The optimal   NiCl2 concentration able to obtain protein p-Y in Mouse sperm in culture media lacking BSA and bicarbonate was 0,35 mM . On the other hand, in capacitating media, the presence of 0,35 mM of  NiCl2 leads to obtain p-Y alter 90 min. (complete) or 30 min (incomplete) capacitating periods. Under our working conditions, motility and vitality were not affected. These preliminary results suggest that the blockade of Calcium channels by  NiCl2 promotes p-Y in the absence of BSA or bicarbonate in 30 min. The role of intracellular Calcium during capacitation remains unclear.