Elsevier

Life Sciences

Volume 36, Issue 3, 21 January 1985, Pages 271-275
Life Sciences

Inhibition of hamster sperm Na+, K+-ATPase activity by taurine and hypotaurine

https://doi.org/10.1016/0024-3205(85)90069-4Get rights and content

Abstract

Taurine, hypotaurine and the structural analogue, beta-alanine, were tested for their effects on Na+, K+-ATPase activity of crude homogenates prepared from washed cauda epididymal hamster sperm. Preincubation with 0.1–10 mM taurine or hypotaurine inhibited Na+, K+-ATPase in a dose-dependent manner, while beta-alanine had an inhibitory effect only at 10 mM. The results of this study are the first evidence to demonstrate inhibition of Na+, K+-ATPase activity by taurine and hypotaurine and are discussed in relation to the ability of these compounds to sustain hamster sperm motility and fertility.

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Present address: Institute of Molecular Biology, University of Oregon, Eugene, Oregon 97403

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