Receptors in Spermatozoa – Their expressions and Functions

概要

It is known that various types of receptors that are thought to function during fertilization are expressed in spermatozoa. These receptors possibly crosstalk with ligands secreted from the female reproductive organs, but the mechanism remains unclear. Neurotensin (NTS), 13 amino acids of peptide hormone, is localized in uterine and oviduct epithelium. Interestingly, Nts mRNA expression is increased in ovulation, suggesting it possesses a specifi c role for fertilization. Further expressions of NTS receptors are confi rmed in spermatozoa, suggesting it functions for fertilization. In vitro culture of spermatozoa with NTS facilitates acrosome exocytosis and protein tyrosine phosphorylation, both are involved in sperm capacitation. Receptors for NTS are also expressed in early embryos, and the addition of NTS results in an increase in blastocyst rate. These results indicate that NTS and its receptors contribute to fertilization and embryonic development.

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