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Channels for water efflux and influx involved in volume regulation of murine spermatozoa

Centre of Reproductive Medicine and Andrology of the University, Domagkstrasse 11, D-48129 Münster, Germany

Correspondence should be addressed to T G Cooper; Email: trevorg.cooper{at}ukmuenster.de

The nature of the membrane channels mediating water transport in murine spermatozoa adjusting to anisotonic conditions was investigated. The volume of spermatozoa subjected to physiologically relevant hypotonic conditions either simultaneously, or after isotonic pre-incubation, with putative water transport inhibitors was monitored. Experiments in which quinine prevented osmolyte efflux, and thus regulatory volume decrease (RVD), revealed whether water influx or efflux was being inhibited. There was no evidence that sodium-dependent solute transporters or facilitative glucose transporters were involved in water transport during RVD of murine spermatozoa since phloretin, cytochalasin B and phloridzin had no effect on volume regulation. However, there was evidence that Hg²⁺- and Ag⁺-sensitive channels were involved in water transport and the possibility that they include aquaporin 8 is discussed. Toxic effects of these heavy metals were ruled out by evidence that mitochondrial poisons had no such effect on volume regulation.