Changes in calcium transport in mammalian sperm mitochondria and plasma membrane irradiated at 633 nm (HeNe laser)

The effect of light on calcium transport in mammalian sperm mitochondria and plasma membrane was studied. Digitonine-treated spermatozoa and plasma membrane vesicles were irradiated with an HeNe laser at various powers and energy doses and Ca2+ uptake was measured by the filtration method. It was found that there is an accelerated Ca2+ uptake by the mitochondria after low power HeNe irradiation and inhibition after high power. The flux of Ca2+ from the mitochondria was also examined and was found to be unaffected by the HeNe light. The ATP-dependent Ca2+ uptake by the bovine plasma membrane vesicles was not changed by the HeNe irradiation.