Ca2+ signalling in the control of motility and guidance in mammalian sperm

Abstract

Ca2+ signalling in the sperm plays a key role in the regulation of events preceding fertilisation. Control of motility, including hyperactivation and chemotaxis, is particularly dependent upon [Ca2+ ]i signalling in the principal piece of the flagellum and the midpiece. Here we briefly review the processes that contribute to regulation of [Ca2+ ]i in mammalian sperm and then examine two areas: (i) the regulation of hyperactivation by [Ca2+ ]i and the pivotal roles played by CatSpers (sperm-specific, Ca2+ - permeable membrane channels) and intracellular Ca2+ stores in this process and (ii) the elevation of [Ca2+ ]i and consequent modulation of motility caused by progesterone including the ability of progesterone at micromolar concentrations to cause sperm hyperactivation and/or accumulation and the recent discovery that progesterone, at picomolar concentrations, acts as a chemoattractant for mammalian sperm.