The role of Na(+) fluxes through voltage-gated sodium channels in the regulation of sperm cell function remains poorly understood. Previously, we reported that several genes encoding voltage-gated Na(+) channels were expressed in human testis and mature spermatozoa. In this study, we analyzed the presence and function of the TTX-resistant VGSC α subunit Nav1.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFStudy Question: Are the vasoactive peptide neurokinin B (NKB) and its preferred NK3 receptor (NK3R) differentially expressed in leiomyomas compared with normal myometrium?
Summary Answer: In leiomyomas, NKB is up-regulated and delocalized, while its preferred NK3R is also differentially regulated.
What Is Known Already: The expression of NKB/NK3R in the central nervous system is essential for proper function of the human reproductive axis. Additionally, this system is also widely expressed throughout the female genital tract.
Objective: To verify the presence of protein precursor pro-enkephalin (PENK) and met-enkephalin in human spermatozoa and to characterize the effects of exogenous and endogenous enkephalins on sperm motility.
Design: We carried out expression assays for met-enkephalin and its protein precursor PENK by reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR), Western blot, and immunofluorescence techniques in sperm cells and motility analysis after incubation of semen samples with met-enkephlin enzyme inhibitors and the opioid receptor antagonist naloxone. Met-enkephalin secretion was analyzed by flow cytometry.
Objective: To investigate the presence of neurokinin B (NKB)/NK(3) receptor (NK(3)R) and kisspeptin/KISS1 receptor (KISS1R) messenger RNA (mRNA) and proteins throughout the human female genital tract.
Design: In vitro study.
Setting: Academic research laboratories and academic hospitals.
Background: We examined the presence and function of tachykinins and the tachykinin-degrading enzymes neprilysin (NEP) and neprilysin-2 (NEP2) in human spermatozoa.
Methods: Freshly ejaculated semen was collected from forty-eight normozoospermic human donors. We analyzed the expression of substance P, neurokinin A, neurokinin B, hemokinin-1, NEP and NEP2 in sperm cells by reverse-transcriptase polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR), western blot and immunocytochemistry assays and evaluated the effects of the neprilysin and neprilysin-2 inhibitor phosphoramidon on sperm motility in the absence and presence of tachykinin receptor-selective antagonists.
Background: We have investigated the expression of voltage-gated sodium channels in human spermatozoa and characterized their role in sperm motility.
Methods: Freshly ejaculated semen was collected from thirty normozoospermic human donors, with each donor supplying 2 different samples. Reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) and immunofluorescence techniques were used to detect the mRNAs and proteins of interest.