Abnormalities in sperm acid glycosidases from infertile men with idiopathic oligoasthenoteratozoospermia.
OBJECTIVE
To analyze and compare acid beta-glucuronidase, alpha-mannosidase, alpha-glycosidase, alpha-galactosidase, beta-galactosidase, and beta-N-acetylglucosaminidase activities in fertile and infertile patients.


METHODS
An observational, controlled, clinical study.


METHODS
A university tertiary hospital.


METHODS
Thirty-six fertile controls, 24 infertile oligoasthenoteratozoospermic (OAT) patients, and 10 azoospermic patients, who served as negative controls.


METHODS
None.


METHODS
Analysis of the six glycosidase activities in seminal plasma and in solubilized spermatozoa.


RESULTS
alpha-galactosidase and beta-galactosidase activities in spermatozoa were significantly correlated with the serum levels of gonadotropins both in fertile controls and in OAT patients. The relative contribution of alpha-galactosidase and beta-galactosidase from the soluble fraction of spermatozoa to the total activity measured in the ejaculate of OAT patients was significantly lower than in fertile controls. The activities of beta-galactosidase and beta-N-acetylglucosaminidase in the soluble fraction of spermatozoa from OAT patients were significantly lower than in fertile controls. In seminal plasma, the activity of alpha-mannosidase from OAT patients was significantly higher than in fertile controls. The activity of beta-N-acetylglucosaminidase in the nonsoluble fraction of spermatozoa from OAT patients was three times higher than in fertile controls.


CONCLUSIONS
The abnormalities in the distributions and contents of alpha-galactosidase, beta-galactosidase, and beta-N-acetylglucosaminidase in sperm suggest possible functional defects in spermatozoa from OAT infertile patients.
Corrales
J J
JJ
Universidad de Salamanca, Salamanca, Spain.
Burgo
R M
RM
Miralles
J M
JM
Villar
E
E
D000118:Acetylglucosaminidase / Q000378:metabolism; D000328:Adult; D016022:Case-Control Studies; D004958:Estradiol / Q000097:blood; D005640:Follicle Stimulating Hormone / Q000097:blood; D005966:Glucuronidase / Q000378:metabolism; D006026:Glycoside Hydrolases / Q000378:metabolism*; D006801:Humans; D007986:Luteinizing Hormone / Q000097:blood; D008297:Male; D008361:Mannosidases / Q000378:metabolism; D009845:Oligospermia / Q000201:enzymology*; D011388:Prolactin / Q000097:blood; D012016:Reference Values; D012661:Semen / Q000201:enzymology; D013094:Spermatozoa / Q000201:enzymology*; D013739:Testosterone / Q000097:blood; D000519:alpha-Galactosidase / Q000378:metabolism; D000520:alpha-Glucosidases / Q000378:metabolism; D043323:alpha-Mannosidase; D001616:beta-Galactosidase / Q000378:metabolism
D013739:Testosterone; D004958:Estradiol; D011388:Prolactin; D007986:Luteinizing Hormone; D005640:Follicle Stimulating Hormone; D006026:Glycoside Hydrolases; D008361:Mannosidases; D000520:alpha-Glucosidases; D000519:alpha-Galactosidase; D001616:beta-Galactosidase; D043323:alpha-Mannosidase; D005966:Glucuronidase; D000118:Acetylglucosaminidase