Antibodies to human sperm YLP12 peptide that is involved in egg binding inhibit human sperm capacitation/acrosome reaction.
Recently, the authors reported a novel dodecamer peptide sequence, designated as YLP12 on human sperm, that is involved in binding to zona pellucida (ZP) of human oocyte [10]. This unique sequence is present on the acrosomal region of the human sperm cell and is expressed only in human testis/ sperm. The aim of the present study was to examine whether YLP12 sequence is involved in capacitation/acrosome reaction. Swim-up sperm were capacitated with anti-YLP12 Fab' antibodies or control Fab's (40 and 85 microg/mL) and then the acrosome reaction was induced with calcium ionophore. An average of 64-73% sperm underwent acrosome reaction when they were capacitated in the presence of 40-85 microg/mL of bovine serum albumin or control Fab's. A significant (p < .01 to < .001) reduction (58-75%) in the percentage of acrosome-reacted sperm was observed when the sperm were capacitated in the presence of YLP12 Fab's. These data indicate that the YLP12 peptide sequence is involved in sperm capacitation / acrosome reaction, and may find clinical applications in the diagnosis and treatment of male infertility and immunocontraception.
Naz
R K
RK
Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Medical College of Ohio, Toledo 43614-5806, USA. Rnaz@mco.edu
Packianathan
J L
JL
D020101:Acrosome Reaction / Q000187:drug effects / Q000276:immunology*; D000818:Animals; D000954:Antigens, Surface / Q000737:chemistry / Q000276:immunology*; D002417:Cattle; D006801:Humans; D007140:Immunoglobulin Fab Fragments / Q000494:pharmacology*; D008297:Male; D010455:Peptides / Q000138:chemical synthesis / Q000276:immunology*; D013075:Sperm Capacitation / Q000187:drug effects / Q000276:immunology*; D013737:Testis / Q000502:physiology; D015044:Zona Pellucida / Q000276:immunology / Q000502:physiology
D000954:Antigens, Surface; D007140:Immunoglobulin Fab Fragments; D010455:Peptides