Measurement of vitronectin content of human spermatozoa and vitronectin concentration within seminal fluid.
OBJECTIVE
Vitronectin previously has been extracted from human spermatozoa and messenger RNA (mRNA) encoding vitronectin localized by reverse transcriptase in situ polymerase chain reaction (PCR) to spermatocytes of human testis. In the present experiments, we have established ranges for the content of vitronectin in living human spermatozoa and vitronectin concentration within seminal fluid of human ejaculates.


METHODS
Seminal fluid was obtained by centrifugation and motile sperm selected by swim-up from men with normal and abnormal ejaculates, according to World Health Organization criteria, for vitronectin determinations.


METHODS
Academic research environment.


METHODS
Seminal fluid vitronectin concentrations were measured by ELISA and sperm vitronectin content by polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis and semiquantitative Western blots.


RESULTS
Vitronectin seminal fluid concentration was 1.35 +/- 1.0 mg/mL (mean +/- SD) for normospermic samples (n = 26) and 0.78 +/- 0.4 mg/mL for azoospermic specimens (n = 6). Vitronectin sperm content ranged from 1 to 15 ng/10(6) motile cells (n = 20). Both high- and low-molecular-weight material was observed. Sperm content of vitronectin did not vary with sperm morphology.


CONCLUSIONS
These results suggest that spermatozoa represent a major source of seminal fluid vitronectin, but that a secondary source exists, perhaps through transudation from serum.
Bronson
R A
RA
Department of Obstetrics & Gynecology, State University of New York, Stony Brook 19794-809, USA. RBRONSON@MAIL.SOM.SUNYSB.EDU
Preissner
K T
KT
D015153:Blotting, Western; D004591:Electrophoresis, Polyacrylamide Gel; D004797:Enzyme-Linked Immunosorbent Assay; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D009994:Osmolar Concentration; D012661:Semen / Q000378:metabolism*; D013094:Spermatozoa / Q000378:metabolism*; D019096:Vitronectin / Q000378:metabolism*
D019096:Vitronectin