Effect of Anti-Relaxin Antiserum on Sperm Motility in Vitro

Sarosi, Peter; Schoenfeld, Cy; Berman, Jeffrey S.; Basch, Ross S.; Randolph, GJ; Amelar, Richard D.; Dubin, Lawrence; Steinetz, Bernard G.; Weiss, Gerson

doi:10.1210/endo-112-5-1860

Cited by 27 publications

(10 citation statements)

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“…Data about the role of relaxin in mature spermatozoa are controversial. Whereas some data in the literature support a role for relaxin in sperm motility (Sarosi et al 1983, Essig et al 1982, we detected only low levels of Rxfp1 mRNA in mature spermatozoa, and RXFP1 protein was undetectable (Filonzi et al 2007). Other studies have also failed to find an effect of relaxin on sperm function (Jockenhovel et al 1990, Newinger et al 1990).…”

Section: Relaxin Receptors: Expression and Function In The Male Reprocontrasting

confidence: 62%

Expression and function of G-protein-coupled receptorsin the male reproductive tract

Avellar

Lazari

Porto

2009

An. Acad. Bras. Ciênc.

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This review focuses on the expression and function of muscarinic acetylcholine receptors (mAChRs), α 1 -adrenoceptors and relaxin receptors in the male reproductive tract. The localization and differential expression of mAChR and α 1 -adrenoceptor subtypes in specific compartments of the efferent ductules, epididymis, vas deferens, seminal vesicle and prostate of various species indicate a role for these receptors in the modulation of luminal fluid composition and smooth muscle contraction, including effects on male fertility. Furthermore, the activation of mAChRs induces transactivation of the epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) and the Sertoli cell proliferation. The relaxin receptors are present in the testis, RXFP1 in elongated spermatids and Sertoli cells from rat, and RXFP2 in Leydig and germ cells from rat and human, suggesting a role for these receptors in the spermatogenic process. The localization of both receptors in the apical portion of epithelial cells and smooth muscle layers of the vas deferens suggests an involvement of these receptors in the contraction and regulation of secretion.

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Section: Relaxin Receptors: Expression and Function In The Male Reprocontrasting

confidence: 62%

Expression and function of G-protein-coupled receptorsin the male reproductive tract

Avellar

Lazari

Porto

2009

An. Acad. Bras. Ciênc.

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“…The present study provides no evidence that relaxin binds to germ cells within the testis. This finding is inconsistent with limited evidence that endogenous relaxin within the seminal plasma of humans and pigs contributes to normal motility of the spermatozoa [32][33][34]. In view of the limited number of studies and the inconsistencies among existing findings, it remains to be established that relaxin has a physiologic role(s) in the male in any species.…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 92%

Localization of Specific Relaxin-Binding Cells in the Ovary and Testis of Pigs1

Min

Sherwood

1998

Biology of Reproduction

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It is not known whether relaxin has physiological roles in the gonads in mammalian species. Limited evidence indicates that relaxin may act locally to regulate ovarian function in pigs. The possibility of a role for relaxin in testicular function in pigs has not been investigated. A major initial step toward the establishment of direct effects of relaxin on the ovary and/or testis is to demonstrate that relaxin binds with specificity to the gonads. Accordingly, the first objective of this study was to employ an immunohistochemical localization technique to determine whether relaxin-binding cells are present in the ovaries and/or testis of pigs. Once they were found to be present, the second objective was to determine whether relaxin-binding sites noticeably change either within the ovary at different stages of the estrous cycle and pregnancy, or within the testis at sexual maturity. Ovaries were collected from four stages of the estrous cycle (midfollicular, late follicular, early luteal, and midluteal) and three stages of the pregnancy (Day 40, Day 80, and Day 110). Two gilts were used for each of the stages of the estrous cycle and pregnancy. Testes were collected from a 5-mo-old immature boar and a 36-mo-old mature boar. Tissues were cut into cubes (3-4 cm3), frozen in liquid nitrogen, and cryosectioned (8 microm). Specific cell types that bind relaxin were identified by sequential application of a biotinylated relaxin probe, antibiotin immunoglobulin G conjugated to 1 nm colloidal gold, and silver for signal amplification. In the ovary, specific relaxin-binding sites were localized in both the theca and granulosa cells of developing follicles, luteal cells, and blood vessels. In the testis, specific relaxin-binding sites were localized in the Leydig cells. There were no apparent differences in relaxin-binding distribution within the ovary at different stages of the estrous cycle and pregnancy in gilts, or within the testis at sexual maturity in boars. We conclude that the specific relaxin-binding cells within the ovary and testis of the pig may contain relaxin receptors. Therefore, relaxin may have effects in the ovary and testis of pigs.

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“…Nevertheless, the presence of Rxfp1 receptor on spermatozoa would help explain many studies that suggest that relaxin stimulates sperm motility. For example, antiserum against relaxin reduces sperm motility [47], relaxin stimulates sperm motility and attenuates the decline in the percentage of motile spermatozoa [48], helps restore decreased sperm motility [48], and improves penetration of spermatozoa into cervical mucus [50]. Finally, Carrell et al [50] demonstrated that recombinant relaxin binds to sperm with high affinity.…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Relaxin family peptide receptors Rxfp1 and Rxfp2: mapping of the mRNA and protein distribution in the reproductive tract of the male rat

Filonzi

Cardoso

Pimenta

et al. 2007

Reprod Biol Endocrinol

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Background: Relaxin is the endogenous ligand of the G-protein coupled receptor RXFP1, previously known as LGR7. In humans relaxin can also activate, but with lower affinity, the closely related receptor for the insulin-like peptide from Leydig cells, RXFP2, previously known as LGR8. The lack of relaxin impairs male fertility but the precise distribution and the function of relaxin receptors in the male reproductive tract is not known. We investigated the distribution of Rxfp1 and Rxfp2 in the reproductive tract of the male rat and the function of relaxin in the vas deferens, a tissue with high expression of both receptors.

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Effect of Anti-Relaxin Antiserum on Sperm Motility in Vitro

Cited by 27 publications

References 0 publications

Expression and function of G-protein-coupled receptorsin the male reproductive tract

Expression and function of G-protein-coupled receptorsin the male reproductive tract

Localization of Specific Relaxin-Binding Cells in the Ovary and Testis of Pigs1

Relaxin family peptide receptors Rxfp1 and Rxfp2: mapping of the mRNA and protein distribution in the reproductive tract of the male rat

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