Tetraethylammonium-Sensitive K+ Current in the Bovine Spermatozoa and its Blocking by the Venom of the Chilean Latrodectus mactans

The morphology and size of spermatozoa hinder the study of the functional properties of the spermatozoa plasma membrane. However, some studies have revealed the presence of a number of ion channels in this cell. We set out to measure the endogenous currents and to study the effect of the venom of the Chilean black widow spider (Latrodectus mactans). By patch-clamping bovine spermatozoa our results indicate the presence of an outwardly rectifying current, sensitive to changes in K