Human X- and Y-bearing sperm differ in cell surface sialic acid content.
Analysis of cell surface charge of human sperm by means of free-flow electrophoresis revealed that the electrophoretic mobility of X-bearing sperm was faster than that of Y-bearing sperm, indicating that X-bearing sperm have a higher net negative charge on the cell surface than do Y-bearing sperm. Sialidase treatment of X- and Y-bearing sperm caused an obvious and progressive reduction in the electrophoretic mobilities of the two types of cells, until they finally merged into a single peak. This observation suggests that the difference in net negative charge between X- and Y-bearing sperm is due mainly to sialic acid content on the cell surface.
D000328:Adult; D004586:Electrophoresis; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D019158:N-Acetylneuraminic Acid; D009439:Neuraminidase / Q000378:metabolism; D012794:Sialic Acids / Q000032:analysis*; D013094:Spermatozoa / Q000032:analysis*; D013499:Surface Properties; D014960:X Chromosome; D014998:Y Chromosome
D012794:Sialic Acids; D009439:Neuraminidase; D019158:N-Acetylneuraminic Acid