Expression of Lectin Receptors on the Membrane Surface of Sperm of Fertile and Subfertile Boars by Flow Cytometry

Abstract

Studies suggest that carbohydrates are important in different stages of fertilization. Plasma membrane changes accompanying in vitro capacitation and acrosome reaction (AR), such as removal or appearance of specific glycoproteins, have been studied using lectins that bind specifically to carbohydrate residues. In specialized artificial insemination farms and semen production centers, identification of boars with decreased fertilization ability (subfertility) is a newborn necessity. This investigation is a sequential study to determine the kinetics of surface carbohydrates turnover during in vitro capacitation and AR in fertile and subfertile boar sperm. Flow cytometry determinations of the binding of three FITC-labeled lectins were assessed. WGA binding was significantly lower in fresh, capacitated, and acrosome-reacted sperm of subfertile boars than in fertile boars. Con-A binding was not significantly different in fresh sperm of fertile and subfertile boars. However. Con-A labeling in capacitated, and acrosome-reacted sperm differed significantly in both groups. UEA binding increased only in capacitated sperm of subfertile boars. These findings could be used as indicators of capacitation and AR and may also be a good indicator of sperm fertilizing ability in boars.

Carbohydrate Affinity Chromatography Indicates That Arylsulfatase-a From Capacitated Boar Sperm Has Mannose and N-Acetylglucosamine/Sialic Acid Residues

“…AS-A is present in the boar capacitated sperm and exposes mannose, N-acetylglucosamine and=or sialic acid. These results agree with previous reports describing the presence of these glycosidic residues in boar sperm capacitated membrane [13,14]. Indirect immunofluorescence and electron microscopy studies showed that AS-A is located on the membrane of the sperm head and on the post-acrosomal region, and can also be detected in the acrosome of several mammalian species [20,27].…”

“…The distribution of these molecules changes during capacitation and acrosome reaction [13,14]. The participation of mannose in binding of sperm to human ZP is established [3,18].…”

Characterizing the Glycocalyx of Poultry Spermatozoa: II. In Vitro Storage of Turkey Semen and Mobility Phenotype Affects the Carbohydrate Component of Sperm Membrane Glycoconjugates

“…In particular, glycocalyx modifications occurring during mammalian spermatozoa maturation in the epididymis are believed to confer fertilizing ability to the spermatozoon (Eddy, 1988). Moreover, the characteristics of changes occurring in the glycocalyx of boar spermatozoa during capacitation and acrosome reaction have implications for fertility (Jiménez et al, 2002). Based on the available literature, it seems reasonable to suggest that the modifications of the turkey sperm glycocalyx observed in our study could have functional repercussions that affect the fertility of in vitro stored semen.…”

Effects of Atrazine and Fenoxaprop-Ethyl on Capacitation and the Acrosomal Reaction in Boar Sperm

“…[25][26][27][28] One hundred cells were observed to evaluate semen samples. 28 Only ejaculates showing more than 85% progressive motility, at least 90% viability, and less than 10% abnormality were used. 29 Capacitation Semen samples were washed twice to remove the seminal plasma by adding 1 mL of phosphate-buffered saline (PBS) to an equal volume of semen followed by centrifugation at 600 g for 5 minutes.…”