Role of PI3K/AKT signaling pathway during capacitation

Spermatozoa must undergo a complex maturation process within the female genital tract known as capacitation. This process entails the phosphorylation or dephosphorylation of various proteins, and multiple signaling pathways are recognized to play a role. The present study aims to identify alterations in the expression of proteins related to the phosphatidylinositol-3 kinase (PI3K)/protein kinase B (AKT) signaling pathway and assess sperm functions during capacitation. Mouse spermatozoa were incubated in a medium supplemented with bovine serum albumin to induce capacitation. Subsequently, we evaluated sperm motility, cell viability, capacitation status, and acrosome reaction. Consequently, we observed a significant increase in several kinematic parameters. Additionally, the capacitation status and acrosome reaction exhibited a time-dependent manner. Furthermore, we confirmed a significant increase in the phosphorylation of PI3K, PDK1, and p-AKT (Thr308), along with activation of PKA and tyrosine phosphorylation. These alterations in protein expression were found to correlate with capacitation status, acrosome reaction, and various kinematic parameters. Therefore, our findings show that the phosphorylation of PKA and PI3K/AKT pathway-related proteins during capacitation may plays a crucial role in regulating sperm function. These findings contribute to a better understanding of the molecular mechanisms and interactions of the PI3K/AKT signaling pathway in the capacitation process.