Reproductive System & Sexual Disorders: Current Research
Open Access

Professor and Senior Advisor, Post-doctoral Master of Science in Clinical and Translational Research, Medical Sciences Campus, University of Puerto Rico, San Juan, Puerto Rico

Publications

• Review Article   
  Endogenous Ouabain: A Possible Link between High Salt Intake and Male Infertility
  Author(s): Luis M. Lastra-Vargas, Gabriel E. García-Castro, Carolia M. Ocasio-Estévez and Estela S. Estape*
  
  Male Infertility is an increasing global health issue, and one of the main findings in the semen of infertile men is spermatogenesis and sperm motility deficiencies. Despite the advances in male fertility, sperm abnormalities are complex and caused by multiple endogenous and exogenous factors. The Na, K ATPase α4 isoform is testis-specific, and its catalytic function is essential to maintain sperm quality, motility, and capacity. Exogenous ouabain is known for its inhibitory actions on the Na, K-ATPase, and α4 has a high affinity for ouabain. This heightened sensitivity is the basis for numerous experiments showing that Inhibition of the α4 by ouabain leads to sperm deterioration. It is interesting to note that endogenous ouabain is a cardiotonic steroid hormone found in animals and humans during normal conditions and increases in response to hig.. View More»
  DOI: 10.35248/2161-038X.21.10.256

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