Membrane Contact with Oviductal Epithelium Modulates the Intracellular Calcium Concentration of Equine Spermatozoa in Vitro1

Interaction of equine spermatozoa with oviductal epithelial cells (OEC) prolongs sperm viability and maintains low intracellular calcium concentration ([Ca2+]i) in spermatozoa. Experiments were designed to investigate 1) whether release of spermatozoa from OEC in vitro is associated with elevated [Ca2+]i and 2) whether soluble products from OEC or direct membrane contact between spermatozoa and OEC mediates the effects of OEC on sperm [Ca2+]i. In the first experiment, changes in [Ca2+]i in spermatozoa loaded with indo-1 acetoxymethylester were determined in motile spermatozoa released from OEC monolayers after 4 h of culture compared to [Ca2+]i in spermatozoa still attached to OEC. In addition, [Ca2+]i was determined in spermatozoa incubated with OEC-conditioned medium for 6 h compared to that in spermatozoa incubated in control medium. [Ca2+]i was higher in motile spermatozoa released from OEC than in spermatozoa still attached to OEC after 4 h of incubation. Incubation in OEC-conditioned medium resulted in lower sperm [Ca2+]i only at 4 h of incubation, but not at 0.5, 2, or 6 h of incubation. In the second experiment, a suspension of apical plasma membrane vesicles (AMV) isolated from isthmic oviductal epithelium was used to study the specific effect of sperm contact with OEC membranes on sperm viability, capacitation, and [Ca2+]i. Direct membrane contact between spermatozoa and AMV prolonged sperm viability, delayed capacitation, and maintained low [Ca2+]i in spermatozoa. These results indicated that membrane contact between equine spermatozoa and OEC is required to maintain low [Ca2+]i, delay capacitation, and prolong viability of spermatozoa in vitro. Modulation of capacitation rate for spermatozoa stored in the isthmic sperm reservoir might ensure the availability of a competent sperm population at the time of fertilization.