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The oxytocin receptor in spermatozoa may originate from both spermatogenesis and epididymal maturation, and regulates capacitation

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dc.contributor.authorGarriga, Ferran
dc.contributor.authorAhmad, Adeel
dc.contributor.authorPadilla, Lorena
dc.contributor.authorMaside, Carolina
dc.contributor.authorBonet, Sergi
dc.contributor.authorBarranco Cascales, Isabel
dc.contributor.authorRoca, Jordi
dc.contributor.authorPastor García, Luis Miguel
dc.contributor.authorYeste, Marc
dc.contributor.authorMartínez Hernández, Jesús
dc.contributor.departmentMedicina y Cirugía Animal
dc.contributor.otherFacultad de Veterinaria
dc.date.accessioned2025-10-17T06:34:51Z
dc.date.available2025-10-17T06:34:51Z
dc.date.copyright© 2025 The Author(s)
dc.date.issued2025-09-27
dc.description.abstractBackground: The oxytocin receptor (OR) is a G-protein-coupled receptor recently identified in human spermatozoa, whose origin and role in sperm physiology remain unknown. Objectives: In this study, using the pig as a model, we examine the presence of the OR in ejaculated spermatozoa through immunofluorescence and immunoblotting, and investigate the receptor's origin in the male gamete via immunohistochemistry in testicular and epididymal tissues. Additionally, we assess the involvement of the OR in in vitro capacitation and the acrosome reaction by utilizing physiological concentrations of agonists (oxytocin and carbetocin) and an antagonist (L-371,257). Results: The results indicate that, in addition to the expected presence in ejaculated spermatozoa, the OR is expressed during spermatogenesis. Besides, this receptor is found in Leydig and Sertoli cells, as well as in the principal, basal, and apical cells of the epididymis. Furthermore, our data suggest that, during epididymal maturation, the OR could be incorporated in spermatozoa via extracellular vesicles within the apical blebs. The OR is involved in sperm capacitation, as the combination of the antagonist (L-371,257) and the agonist (carbetocin) increases intracellular calcium levels and membrane lipid disorders, which are known as capacitation markers. Conclusions: The presence of the OR in mammalian spermatozoa could originate from both spermatogenesis and epididymal maturation. Moreover, in the male gamete, this receptor regulates sperm capacitation by interacting with its ligand in the female reproductive tract.
dc.formatapplication/pdf
dc.format.extent19
dc.identifier.citation Andrology. 2025;1–19
dc.identifier.doihttps://doi.org/10.1111/andr.70123
dc.identifier.eissn2047-2927
dc.identifier.issn2047-2919
dc.identifier.urihttp://hdl.handle.net/10201/167289
dc.languageeng
dc.publisherWiley
dc.relationThe authors would like to thank Vicenç Oliveras and Daniel Reyes from the Technical Research Service of Universitat de Girona (UdG) for technical support in confocal microscopy. This research was supported by the European Union-Next Generation EU Funds (University of Murcia, Margarita Salas Scheme 181/MSJD/22), the Ministry of Science, Innovation and Universities, Spain (grants: PID2020-113320RB-I00 and PRE2021-098,896), the Regional Government of Catalonia (2021-SGR-0900), the Catalan Institution for Research and Advanced Studies (ICREA), and Agency for Management of University and Research Grants (2021-SGR-00900)
dc.relation.publisherversionhttps://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1111/andr.70123
dc.rightsAttribution 4.0 Internacional
dc.rights.accessRightsinfo:eu-repo/semantics/openAccess
dc.rights.urihttp://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/
dc.subjectApical blebs
dc.subjectEpididymosomes
dc.subjectIn vitro capacitation
dc.subjectOxytocin receptor
dc.subjectPig
dc.subjectSpermatozoa
dc.subject.odsNo relacionado con ningún objetivo de desarrollo sostenible
dc.titleThe oxytocin receptor in spermatozoa may originate from both spermatogenesis and epididymal maturation, and regulates capacitation
dc.typeinfo:eu-repo/semantics/article
dspace.entity.typePublicationes
relation.isAuthorOfPublication3c34d0d5-7d7d-4bcc-a119-8906f53baa7b
relation.isAuthorOfPublication920d1ad2-1252-4ca8-9187-f3a351c89ce2
relation.isAuthorOfPublicatione442a579-c2af-4fdd-8e39-00e5581604cb
relation.isAuthorOfPublication.latestForDiscovery3c34d0d5-7d7d-4bcc-a119-8906f53baa7b
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