Presence and localization of oscillin in human spermatozoa in relation to the integrity of the sperm membrane.
We investigated the presence and localization of oscillin in human spermatozoa in relation to the integrity of the sperm membrane, which was assessed by the hypo-osmotic swelling (HOS) test. We found no gross differences in the presence of oscillin in semen samples from men who presented with 70%, 40%, 25% or 2% of membrane-intact spermatozoa. By immunofluorescence, membrane-intact (HOS-positive) spermatozoa showed staining of a single band at the equatorial region, whereas over 80% of HOS-negative spermatozoa consistently showed a diffuse distribution of oscillin over the sperm head. However, some individuals presented with up to 50% of HOS-positive spermatozoa showing an aberrant localization of oscillin. We found a significant correlation rate (r=0.70, P < 0.05) between the percentage of HOS-positive spermatozoa with an equatorial oscillin localization and the fertilization rates achieved after intracytoplasmic sperm injection. These data suggest that the localization of oscillin in human spermatozoa might have an impact on egg activation and fertilization rates.
Montag
M
M
Department of Endocrinology and Reproductive Medicine, University of Bonn, Germany. vdven@mailer.meb.uni-bonn.de
Parrington
J
J
Swann
K
K
Lai
F A
FA
van der Ven
H
H
D002135:Calcium-Binding Proteins; D002462:Cell Membrane / Q000737:chemistry / Q000502:physiology*; D048429:Cell Size / Q000502:physiology; D005306:Fertilization / Q000502:physiology; D005307:Fertilization in Vitro; D006801:Humans; D007150:Immunohistochemistry; D008297:Male; D009865:Oocytes / Q000502:physiology; D009997:Osmotic Pressure; D011506:Proteins / Q000378:metabolism*; D012044:Regression Analysis; D013094:Spermatozoa / Q000737:chemistry*; D014404:Tubulin / Q000032:analysis
D002135:Calcium-Binding Proteins; D011506:Proteins; D014404:Tubulin; C097705:oscillin