Subunit composition and function of GABAA receptors of rat spermatozoa

J. H. Hu, X. B. He, Q. Wu, Y. C. Yan, S. S. Koide

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

24 Scopus citations

Abstract

GABA triggers mammalian sperm acrosome reaction (AR). Here, evidence is presented, showing that rat spermatozoa contain GABAA receptors, composed of α5, β1 and β3 subunits. The effects of GABAA receptor agonist and antagonist on the induction of AR in rat spermatozoa were assessed using the chlortetracycline assay. Muscimol, a GABAA receptor agonist, triggered AR; whereas bicuculline, a GABAA receptor antagonist and picrotoxin, a GABAA receptor/Cl- channel blocker, inhibited the ability of GABA or progesterone to induce AR. In conclusion, GABAA receptors appear to mediate the action of progesterone in inducing AR in rat spermatozoa.

Original languageEnglish (US)
Pages (from-to)195-199
Number of pages5
JournalNeurochemical Research
Volume27
Issue number3
DOIs
StatePublished - 2002

Keywords

  • Acrosome reaction
  • Chlortetracycline assay
  • GABA
  • Progesterone
  • Receptor agonist and antagonist

ASJC Scopus subject areas

  • Biochemistry
  • Cellular and Molecular Neuroscience

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