Abstract

Ca2+ cations play a key role in the initiation of spermatozoa motility in Atlantic salmon (Salmo salar). In this study we assess the importance of the voltage-gated L-type calcium channels in the spermatozoa motility of Atlantic salmon by combined in vitro and in silico approaches. The results of this study showed that as in other fish species, voltage-gated L-type calcium channels are significant in the spermatozoa motility of Salmo salar. The in vitro assays showed that total and progressive motilities decrease significantly (****p < .001) when Salmo solar spermatozoa are treated with verapamil, which has its binding site in the pore of the voltage-gated L-type calcium channel according to the in silico analysis.