Experimental induction and mathematical modeling of Ca ²⁺ dynamics in rat round spermatids

Cytosolic Ca²⁺ concentration ([Ca²⁺]) has an important role in spermatozoa and hence it regulates fertilization. In male germinal cells, there are indirect evidences that this ion could regulate physiological processes in spermatogenesis. Since little is known about Ca ²⁺ homeostasis in spermatogenic cells, in this work we propose a mathematical model that accounts for experimental [Ca²⁺] dynamics triggered by blockade of the SERCA transport ATPase with thapsigargin in round rat spermatids, without external Ca²⁺ and with different extracellular lactate concentrations. The model included three homogeneous calcium compartments and Ca²⁺-ATPase activities sensitive and insensitive to thapsigargin, and it adjusted satisfactorily the experimental calcium dynamic data. Moreover, an extended version of the model satisfactorily adjusted the stationary states of calcium modulated by extracellular lactate, which is consistent with the participation of a low affinity lactate transporter and further lactate metabolism in these cells. Further studies and modeling would be necessary to shed some light into the relation between Ca ²⁺-lactate-ATP homeostasis and cell–cell interactions in the seminiferous tubules that are expected to modulate Ca ²⁺ dynamics by hormonal factors or energetic substrates in meiotic and postmeiotic spermatogenic cells.