Cellular and Molecular Reproductive Biology

1) Molecular mechanisms associated with sperm capacitation

*Analysis of intracellular calcium dynamics: We study how fluctuations in intracellular calcium levels influence the capacitation and functionality of spermatozoa.
*Role of the actin and tubulin cytoskeleton: We investigate how these structural components of the cytoskeleton participate in the regulation of sperm capacitation.
*Signaling mediated by the sAC/cAMP/PKA pathway: We analyze the role of this pathway in the phosphorylation of key proteins during capacitation.
*Modulation of ion channels: We investigate how the regulation of specific ion channels, such as CatSper and Slo3, influences the ability of spermatozoa to respond to changes in the ionic environment of the female reproductive tract.

2) Acrosomal exocytosis in mammalian sperm

*We analyze the mechanisms and factors that induce and regulate acrosomal exocytosis, a crucial process in acquiring fertilizing capacity.

3) Strategies to optimize the fertilizing capacity of sperm

*Through our start-up Fecundis, we develop and evaluate methods and treatments to improve the fertilizing capacity of spermatozoa, with potential applications in the field of assisted fertility.

4) Development of Non-Hormonal Male Contraceptive Methods

*We investigate target molecules for the design of non-hormonal male contraceptives, seeking safe and effective alternatives to complement current contraceptive methods.

5) Identification of male fertility biomarkers

*We search for and validate biomarkers that can be used to assess male fertility and predict the fertilizing capacity of spermatozoa under different clinical conditions.

To develop these research lines, we use mouse and human sperm as study models. We combine biochemical and pharmacological studies with the use of transgenic animals, including CatSper1 KO, Slo3 KO, and Tg CAG/mt-DsRed2 / Acr-EGFP models. Our highlighted techniques include flow cytometry, real-time single-cell microscopy, and super-resolution microscopy, which allow us to obtain detailed and precise data on the processes we study.