"Neurosensory perception of environmental cues modulates sperm motility" by Katherine McKnight, Hieu D. Hoang et al.

Faculty Publications

Title

Neurosensory perception of environmental cues modulates sperm motility critical for fertilization

Authors

Katherine McKnight, Division of Reproductive Endocrinology and Infertility, Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, University of Alabama at Birmingham, Birmingham, AL 35294, USA.
Hieu D. Hoang, Department of Cell, Developmental and Integrative Biology, University of Alabama at Birmingham, Birmingham, AL 35294, USA.
Jeevan K. Prasain, Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology, University of Alabama at Birmingham, Birmingham, AL 35294, USA.
Naoko Brown, Department of Pediatrics, Vanderbilt University, Nashville, TN 37232, USA.
Jack Vibbert, Department of Cell, Developmental and Integrative Biology, University of Alabama at Birmingham, Birmingham, AL 35294, USA.
Kyle A. Hollister, Department of Chemistry, Louisiana State University, Baton Rouge, LA 70803, USA.
Ray Moore, Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology, University of Alabama at Birmingham, Birmingham, AL 35294, USA.
Justin R. Ragains, Department of Chemistry, Louisiana State University, Baton Rouge, LA 70803, USA.
Jeff Reese, Department of Pediatrics, Vanderbilt University, Nashville, TN 37232, USA. Department of Cell and Developmental Biology, Vanderbilt University, Nashville, TN 37232, USA.
Michael A. Miller, Department of Cell, Developmental and Integrative Biology, University of Alabama at Birmingham, Birmingham, AL 35294, USA. mamiller@uab.edu.

Document Type

Article

Publication Date

5-16-2014

Abstract

Environmental exposures affect gamete function and fertility, but the mechanisms are poorly understood. Here, we show that pheromones sensed by ciliated neurons in the Caenorhabditis elegans nose alter the lipid microenvironment within the oviduct, thereby affecting sperm motility. In favorable environments, pheromone-responsive sensory neurons secrete a transforming growth factor-β ligand called DAF-7, which acts as a neuroendocrine factor that stimulates prostaglandin-endoperoxide synthase [cyclooxygenase (Cox)]-independent prostaglandin synthesis in the ovary. Oocytes secrete F-class prostaglandins that guide sperm toward them. These prostaglandins are also synthesized in Cox knockout mice, raising the possibility that similar mechanisms exist in other animals. Our data indicate that environmental cues perceived by the female nervous system affect sperm function.

Publication Source (Journal or Book title)

Science (New York, N.Y.)

First Page

754

Last Page

Recommended Citation

McKnight, K., Hoang, H. D., Prasain, J. K., Brown, N., Vibbert, J., Hollister, K. A., Moore, R., Ragains, J. R., Reese, J., & Miller, M. A. (2014). Neurosensory perception of environmental cues modulates sperm motility critical for fertilization. Science (New York, N.Y.), 344 (6185), 754-7. https://doi.org/10.1126/science.1250598

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