LAUSR

Rennin-angiotensin system (RAS) has been involved in sperm function, even so, little is known about the implication of one of the RAS axis formed by Ang-(1-7) [angiotensin-(1-7)] and Mas receptor. Hence, in the present work, we focused on elucidating the function of the Mas receptor in human sperm. We analyzed the expression and localization of Mas receptor in human sperm and we observed if its activation is able to modulate the sperm motility of normal motility and/or asthenozoospermic patients, as well as, the acrosome reaction of the sperm. Mas receptor is present in human mature spermatozoa, not only at the mRNA level but also at protein level. Mas is localized at the acrosome region, as well as, in the tail of sperm. The sperm incubation with Mas agonist Ang-(1-7) activates at dose-dependent manner the PI3K/Akt pathway (P < 0.01 vs. control) and improves the motility of asthenozoospermic patients (P < 0.01 vs. control), which is blocked by the specific antagonist (A779) (P < 0.01), but it do not modulate the acrosome reaction. These findings suggest that the ACE2/Ang-(1-7)/Mas axis may be a useful biochemical tool for the treatment of male infertility related to sperm mobility.