Complement component 1 inhibitor (C1-INH) like protein on murine spermatozoa: anti-C1-INH inhibits in vitro fertilization.
We investigated if complement component 1 inhibitor-like (C1-INH-L) protein found on human spermatozoa exists on mouse spermatozoa and is relevant to reproduction. We used Western blot analysis and immunofluorescence assays to detect C1-INH on murine sperm and tested the effects of the antibodies to C1-INH and albumin (negative control) on in vitro mouse sperm motility and fertilization. C1-INH-L, with molecular weight similar to human C1-INH (100 kDa), was present on the surface of spermatozoan head and midpiece. Treating mouse sperm with anti-C1-INH reduced the mouse sperm motility (P < 0.01), in vitro fertilization (P < 0.01) and embryo development rates (P < 0.01). Anti-albumin failed to do so. We conclude that C1-inhibitor-like protein is present on mouse sperm surface and appears to be relevant to reproduction.
Pillai (fka Mathur)
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Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, College of Medicine, Medical University of South Carolina, Charleston 29425, USA.
Jiang
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Roudebush
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Zhang
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Waheba
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D000418:Albumins / Q000276:immunology; D000818:Animals; D000906:Antibodies / Q000276:immunology*; D015153:Blotting, Western; D003174:Complement C1 Inactivator Proteins / Q000032:analysis* / Q000276:immunology*; D005314:Embryonic and Fetal Development / Q000276:immunology; D005307:Fertilization in Vitro; D005455:Fluorescent Antibody Technique; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D051379:Mice; D008807:Mice, Inbred BALB C; D013081:Sperm Motility / Q000276:immunology; D013094:Spermatozoa / Q000737:chemistry / Q000276:immunology*
D000418:Albumins; D000906:Antibodies; D003174:Complement C1 Inactivator Proteins