title: Effect of fucoidin on human sperm-zona pellucida interactions.
abstract: The authors recently reported that fucoidin (a polymer of predominantly L-fucose sulfate) produced a strong, significant, and dose-dependent inhibition of sperm-zona binding under hemizona assay conditions. The current studies were designed to evaluate the mechanisms underlying this inhibitory activity. Using computerized semen analysis, the monoclonal anti-sperm antibody T-6 and indirect immunofluorescence technique, and the fura-2 indicator, no significant impact of fucoidin on sperm motion parameters, on the spontaneous acrosome reaction, or its prerequisite, the increase in calcium influx, were observed. Subsequently, a mild acid hydrolysis of the fucoidin molecule was performed, followed by sizing hydrolysates in a Biogel P2 column and separating fractions (n = 6). All fucoidin fragments significantly inhibited tight binding of human sperm to human zona pellucida under hemizona assay conditions (range, 56%-94%) when tested individually. These results provide further evidence that the effect of fucoidin is produced by a receptor-ligand association.
authors.affiliation: Jones Institute for Reproductive Medicine, Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Eastern Virginia Medical School, Norfolk 23507.
authors.forename: S
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Oehninger
authors.forename: G F
authors.initials: GF
authors.lastname: Clark
authors.forename: D
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Fulgham
authors.forename: P F
authors.initials: PF
authors.lastname: Blackmore
authors.forename: M C
authors.initials: MC
authors.lastname: Mahony
authors.forename: A A
authors.initials: AA
authors.lastname: Acosta
authors.forename: G D
authors.initials: GD
authors.lastname: Hodgen
mesh_terms: D000704:Analysis of Variance; D000925:Anticoagulants / Q000494:pharmacology*; D002450:Cell Communication / Q000187:drug effects / Q000502:physiology; D005260:Female; D005455:Fluorescent Antibody Technique; D016257:Fura-2; D006801:Humans; D008024:Ligands; D008297:Male; D009844:Oligosaccharides; D011134:Polysaccharides / Q000494:pharmacology*; D013084:Sperm-Ovum Interactions / Q000187:drug effects*; D013094:Spermatozoa / Q000166:cytology / Q000187:drug effects / Q000502:physiology; D015044:Zona Pellucida / Q000187:drug effects / Q000502:physiology
chemical_list: D000925:Anticoagulants; D008024:Ligands; D009844:Oligosaccharides; D011134:Polysaccharides; C007789:fucoidan; D016257:Fura-2