title: Carbohydrate mediation of boar sperm binding to oviductal epithelial cells in vitro.
abstract: After mating, mammalian spermatozoa are transported to the lower oviductal isthmus. Spermatozoa are sequestered at the isthmus by attaching and interacting with oviductal epithelial cells, hence forming a sperm reservoir. In several mammalian species, specific carbohydrates mediate sperm-oviductal epithelial cell binding. A quantitative in vitro free cell bioassay was developed to investigate the involvement of carbohydrate recognition in pig sperm-oviductal epithelial cell interactions. This assay was validated. The sensitivity of the assay was such that it was possible to discriminate between different sperm concentrations and sperm-oviductal epithelial cell co-incubation periods, spermatozoa with damaged plasma membranes and epithelial cells of non-reproductive origin. Optimal conditions were used to incubate spermatozoa and oviductal epithelial cells in the presence of six hexose sugars at concentrations of 0, 2, 10 and 50 mmol l(-1). A significant (P < or = 0.05) reduction in the binding of spermatozoa to the oviductal epithelium was detected with 2, 10 and 50 mmol maltose l(-1), 50 mmol lactose l(-1) and 50 mmol mannose l(-1). These findings support the hypothesis that attachment of pig spermatozoa to oviductal epithelium before fertilization is mediated by carbohydrate recognition.
authors.affiliation: Royal Veterinary College, Royal College Street, London NW1 0TU, UK. ARFAZELI@ucl.ac.uk
authors.forename: C E
authors.initials: CE
authors.lastname: Green
authors.forename: J
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Bredl
authors.forename: W V
authors.initials: WV
authors.lastname: Holt
authors.forename: P F
authors.initials: PF
authors.lastname: Watson
authors.forename: A
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Fazeli
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D002241:Carbohydrates / Q000494:pharmacology*; D002460:Cell Line; D004847:Epithelial Cells / Q000378:metabolism / Q000648:ultrastructure; D005187:Fallopian Tubes / Q000378:metabolism* / Q000648:ultrastructure; D005260:Female; D007668:Kidney; D007785:Lactose / Q000494:pharmacology; D008297:Male; D008320:Maltose / Q000494:pharmacology; D008358:Mannose / Q000494:pharmacology; D008855:Microscopy, Electron, Scanning; D013094:Spermatozoa / Q000378:metabolism*; D013552:Swine
chemical_list: D002241:Carbohydrates; D008320:Maltose; D007785:Lactose; D008358:Mannose