Comparison of the frequency of defective sperm-zona pellucida (ZP) binding and the ZP-induced acrosome reaction between subfertile men with normal and abnormal semen

Abstract

Defective sperm-ZP interaction is a major mechanism of male infertility. DZPIAR is more frequent than DSZPB in subfertile men with either normal or abnormal semen, suggesting that sequential sperm-ZP interaction tests are essential to detect these sperm defects.

Role of zonadhesin during sperm–egg interaction: a species-specific acrosomal molecule with multiple functions

“…Surprisingly there is no non-assisted reproduction treatment (ART) for sperm dysfunction and a primary reason for this is our lack of understanding of the cellular and molecular workings of the mature cell (Barratt et al, 2011). This is particularly so in the understanding of the molecular events involved in sperm -zona pellucida (ZP) adhesion where there is a wealth of robust clinical data to show that sperm ZP interaction is a clear and defined cause of sperm dysfunction (Liu et al, 2007). A detailed understanding of the molecular events during gamete recognition is likely to provide (i) improved diagnostic tests (ii) potential development of non-ART-based therapy possibly via drug development (iii) new approaches for the design of more effective male contraceptives.…”

Defective protein kinase A and C pathways are common causes of disordered zona pellucida (ZP)–induced acrosome reaction in normozoospermic infertile men with normal sperm-ZP binding

“…Defective sperm-ZP binding and penetration are commonly associated with abnormal semen, particularly severe teratozoospermia. However, some of patients with defective sperm-ZP binding and penetration can have normal semen analysis (9,10). Furthermore, in normozoospermic infertile men with normal sperm-ZP binding, failure of sperm-ZP penetration is mostly due to disordered ZP-induced AR (DZPIAR) which sperm are able to bind to the ZP but unable undergo the AR on the ZP (10,11).…”

Sperm function tests in clinical practice

“…This is mostly secondary to impaired ZP-induced AR (DZPIAR) that causes sperms to bind to the ZP but fails to induce AR on the ZP. [29] Liu et al [30] enrolled 51 DZPIAR infertile men in their study and reported that defective protein kinase C (PKC) and protein kinase A (PKA) pathways are highly associated with disordered ZPIAR in normozoospermic infertile men with normal sperm-ZP binding. They also found that phorbol myristate acetate (PMA, PKC activator) and dibutyryl cyclic AMP (AMP, PKA activator) enhanced acrosome reaction among DZIPAR infertile men.…”