Mu opioid receptor expression and localisation in murine spermatozoa and its role in IVF
Estibaliz Olabarrieta A , Lide Totorikaguena A , Jon Romero-Aguirregomezcorta A , Naiara Agirregoitia A and Ekaitz Agirregoitia
A B
+ Author Affiliations
- Author Affiliations
A Department of Physiology, Faculty of Medicine and Nursing, Universidad del País Vasco / Euskal Herriko Unibertsitatea (UPV/EHU), 48940 Leioa, Bizkaia, Spain.
B Corresponding author. Email: e.agirregoitia@ehu.eus
Reproduction, Fertility and Development 32(4) 349-354 https://doi.org/10.1071/RD19176
Submitted: 26 February 2019 Accepted: 1 July 2019 Published: 13 November 2019
Abstract
The endogenous opioid peptides are reported to be involved in the regulation of reproductive physiology. Many of the studies conclude with statements on the harmful effect of opioids on male fertility but, in fact, there are no studies regarding the real fertilisation potential of spermatozoa that have been exposed to opioids. The aim of the present study was to examine if modulation of mu opioid receptor (OPRM1) in murine spermatozoa during capacitation influenced embryo production after IVF. The presence of OPRM1 in murine mature spermatozoa was analysed by reverse transcription–polymerase chain reaction and immunofluorescence. We analysed the involvement of OPRM1 on IVF and pre-implantational embryo development by incubating the spermatozoa with the opioid agonist morphine and/or antagonist naloxone. We verified the presence of OPRM1 in murine mature spermatozoa, not only at the mRNA level but also the protein level. Moreover, incubation of the spermatozoa with morphine, before IVF, had an effect on the fertilisation rate of the spermatozoa and reduced the numbers of blastocysts, which was reversed by naloxone. Considering that opioids are widely used clinically, it is important to take into account their effect, via OPRM1, on the fertility of patients.
Additional keywords: capacitation, embryo, in vitro fertilisation, oocyte, OPRM1.
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