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BOR - Papers in Press, published online ahead of print September 17, 2008.
Biol Reprod 2008, 10.1095/biolreprod.108.068882
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BIOLOGY OF REPRODUCTION 80, 124–133 (2009)
DOI: 10.1095/biolreprod.108.068882
© 2009 by the Society for the Study of Reproduction, Inc.

Sorbitol Can Fuel Mouse Sperm Motility and Protein Tyrosine Phosphorylation via Sorbitol Dehydrogenase1

Wenlei Cao 3, Haig K. Aghajanian 3, Lisa A. Haig-Ladewig 3, and George L. Gerton 2 3 4

Center for Research on Reproduction and Women's Health,3 Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology,4 University of Pennsylvania School of Medicine, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania 19104

ABSTRACT

Energy sources that can be metabolized to yield ATP are essential for normal sperm functions such as motility. Two major monosaccharides, sorbitol and fructose, are present in semen. Furthermore, sorbitol dehydrogenase (SORD) can convert sorbitol to fructose, which can then be metabolized via the glycolytic pathway in sperm to make ATP. Here we characterize Sord mRNA and SORD expression during mouse spermatogenesis and examine the ability of sorbitol to support epididymal sperm motility and tyrosine phosphorylation. Sord mRNA levels increased during the course of spermatogenic differentiation. SORD protein, however, was first detected at the condensing spermatid stage. By indirect immunofluorescence, SORD was present along the length of the flagella of caudal epididymal sperm. Furthermore, immunoelectron microscopy showed that SORD was associated with mitochondria and the plasma membranes of sperm. Sperm incubated with sorbitol maintained motility, indicating that sorbitol was utilized as an energy source. Sorbitol, as well as glucose and fructose, were not essential to induce hyperactive motility. Protein tyrosine phosphorylation increased in a similar manner when sorbitol was substituted for glucose in the incubation medium used for sperm capacitation. These results indicate that sorbitol can serve as an alternative energy source for sperm motility and protein tyrosine phosphorylation.

epididymis, flagellum, sorbitol, sorbitol dehydrogenase, sperm, spermatogenesis, sperm capacitation, sperm motility and transport

FOOTNOTES

1Supported by National Institute of Child Health and Human Development grant P01-HD006274 to G.L.G.

Correspondence: 2George L. Gerton, Center for Research on Reproduction and Women's Health, Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, University of Pennsylvania School of Medicine, 421 Curie Blvd., 1311 BRB II/III, Philadelphia, PA 19104-6160. FAX: 215 5737627; e-mail: gerton{at}mail.med.upenn.edu






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Copyright © 2009 by the Society for the Study of Reproduction.