title: Spermagglutination by bacteria: receptor-specific interactions.
abstract: The influence of genital infection on infertility has yet to be elucidated. We examined receptor-ligand interactions between sperm and Escherichia coli from patients with prostatitis. Two E. coli surface adhesins (P-fimbriae, type 1 fimbriae) and their specific receptor saccharides (alpha-galp-1-4-beta-galp-O-methyl [gal-gal], mannose) were evaluated. Bacterial concentrations of 10(4) caused spermagglutination. P-fimbriae caused tail-tail spermagglutination that was inhibited by gal-gal. D-mannose concentrations are highest in the acrosomal region and type 1 fimbriae caused head-head agglutination that was inhibited by mannose. Strains with both fimbriae caused head-head and tail-tail agglutination that was inhibited by a mannose/gal-gal combination. E. coli agglutinated 40-75% of motile sperm. Seminal fluid provided 50-100% protection, with lower effectiveness against type 1 fimbriae. Understanding bacteria-spermatozoa interactions at the receptor-ligand level holds potential for treatment of infertility and development of spermagglutinating contraceptives.
authors.affiliation: Department of Urology, Tulane University School of Medicine, New Orleans, Louisiana.
authors.forename: M
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Monga
authors.forename: J A
authors.initials: JA
authors.lastname: Roberts
mesh_terms: D001422:Bacterial Adhesion; D002240:Carbohydrate Sequence; D004926:Escherichia coli / Q000502:physiology*; D010861:Fimbriae, Bacterial; D006801:Humans; D066298:In Vitro Techniques; D008297:Male; D008969:Molecular Sequence Data; D011956:Receptors, Cell Surface / Q000378:metabolism; D013073:Sperm Agglutination
chemical_list: D011956:Receptors, Cell Surface