Bicarbonate secretion by the female reproductive tract and its impact on sperm fertilizing capacity.
- Author:
Chen-Xi ZHOU
1
;
Xiao-Fei WANG
;
Hsiao-Chang CHAN
Author Information
1. Epithelial Cell Biology Research Center, Department of Physiology, Faculty of Medicine, The Chinese University of Hong Kong, Shatin, Hong Kong, China.
- Publication Type:Journal Article
- MeSH:
Animals;
Bicarbonates;
metabolism;
Female;
Fertilization;
physiology;
Humans;
Male;
Sperm Capacitation;
physiology;
Sperm-Ovum Interactions;
physiology;
Uterus;
metabolism;
secretion
- From:
Acta Physiologica Sinica
2005;57(2):115-124
- CountryChina
- Language:English
-
Abstract:
The luminal fluid environment of the female reproductive tract is considered critical for the sperm to undergo a series of molecular events leading to the final acquisition of their fertilizing capacity. It has been shown that the fluid in the female reproductive tract contains high content of HCO3- and it plays an important role in sperm functions including sperm motility, capacitation, hyperactivation and acrosome reaction. This review summarizes the effects of HCO3- on sperm functions occurring in the female reproductive tract and discusses the transport mechanisms involved in mediating uterine HCO3- secretion. New evidence is also presented to show possible cause of female infertility due to defective HCO3- transporting mechanism.
