Role and Modulation of TRPV1 in Mammalian Spermatozoa: An Updated Review

Abstract

Based on the abundance of scientific publications, the polymodal sensor TRPV1 is known as one of the most studied proteins within the TRP channel family. This receptor has been found in numerous cell types from different species as well as in spermatozoa. The present review is focused on analyzing the role played by this important channel in the post-ejaculatory life of spermatozoa, where it has been described to be involved in events such as capacitation, acrosome reaction, calcium trafficking, sperm migration, and fertilization. By performing an exhaustive bibliographic search, this review gathers, for the first time, all the modulators of the TRPV1 function that, to our knowledge, were described to date in different species and cell types. Moreover, all those modulators with a relationship with the reproductive process, either found in the female tract, seminal plasma, or spermatozoa, are presented here. Since the sperm migration through the female reproductive tract is one of the most intriguing and less understood events of the fertilization process, in the present work, chemotaxis, thermotaxis, and rheotaxis guiding mechanisms and their relationship with TRPV1 receptor are deeply analyzed, hypothesizing its (in)direct participation during the sperm migration. Last, TRPV1 is presented as a pharmacological target, with a special focus on humans and some pathologies in mammals strictly related to the male reproductive system.

Sperm Ion Transporters and Channels in Human Asthenozoospermia: Genetic Etiology, Lessons from Animal Models, and Clinical Perspectives

“…TRPV (transient receptor potential cation) channels were discovered for their sensitivity to increased temperature and proposed to be pain perception mediators [ 150 ]. TRPV1 and TRPV4 channels have been detected in spermatozoa from several mammalian species, in which they participate in sperm thermotaxis [ 151 , 152 ]. This response to a thermal gradient is considered to play an important role in sperm progression through the female genital tract, acting as a long-distance guidance system that precedes the chemotaxis known to be exerted at the proximity of the oocyte.…”

Ion Channels of Spermatozoa: Structure, Function, and Regulation Mechanisms

“…The plasma membrane of mature sperm contains a high diversity of ion transporters belonging to different protein families and showing different ion affinity, regulation mechanisms, and functional multiplicity [ 6 ]. The absence or dysfunction of even a single channel type may result in male subfertility [ 5 , 7 , 8 ] or affect sperm cryotolerance [ 9 ]; moreover, some ion channels can be used as contraception targets [ 8 , 10 ].…”

“…Nevertheless, the sperm-plasma membrane also contains other Ca 2+ transporters that exert a relevant physiological role in sperm physiology [ 1 ]. On this topic, this special issue includes an excellent review by Ramal-Sánchez et al [ 8 ] focused on the structure and function of transient receptor potential cation channel subfamily V member 1 (TRPV1). TRPV1 is a temperature-sensitive and non-selective cation transporter, present in the sperm-plasma membrane of several species from sea urchin to human, that transports different monovalent and divalent cations, mainly Ca 2+ , but also K + and Na + , as well as cyclic nucleotides.…”

“…TRPV1 is a temperature-sensitive and non-selective cation transporter, present in the sperm-plasma membrane of several species from sea urchin to human, that transports different monovalent and divalent cations, mainly Ca 2+ , but also K + and Na + , as well as cyclic nucleotides. In most species, the presence of TRPV1 has been related with sperm chemotaxis, whereas in mammals it is also required for sperm thermotaxis [ 8 ]. Moreover, TRPV1 channels are reported to be relevant for sperm capacitation and fertilization, and even for sperm cell differentiation in mammals [ 8 ].…”

“…In most species, the presence of TRPV1 has been related with sperm chemotaxis, whereas in mammals it is also required for sperm thermotaxis [ 8 ]. Moreover, TRPV1 channels are reported to be relevant for sperm capacitation and fertilization, and even for sperm cell differentiation in mammals [ 8 ].…”