Heparin binding sites are present at a higher concentration on sperm of subfertile men than donors of known fertility.
Heparin sulfate has been shown to both stimulate sperm capacitation and cause decondensation of sperm chromatin. Recent studies have shown that sperm chromatin decondensation following exposure to a low concentration of heparin sulfate is inversely correlated with penetration ability. This study shows that sperm from subfertile patients contain a higher (p < .05) concentration of heparin binding sites than sperm from donors of known fertility. No differences were observed in the binding affinity of 3H-labeled heparin to donor and patient sperm. Binding was specific for sulfated heparin and dextran. FITC-labeled heparin bound to a higher percentage (p < .01) of patient sperm (39.6 +/- 3.1) than donor sperm (12.3 +/- 1.7). A relationship is demonstrated between heparin binding sites and sperm chromatin decondensation following heparin cxposure, both of which are increased in sperm from subfertile men.
Carrell
D T
DT
Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, University of Utah School of Medicine, Salt Lake City 84132, USA.
Liu
L
L
D001665:Binding Sites; D001667:Binding, Competitive; D002843:Chromatin / Q000648:ultrastructure*; D006493:Heparin / Q000378:metabolism*; D006801:Humans; D007248:Infertility, Male / Q000378:metabolism*; D008297:Male; D012016:Reference Values; D013081:Sperm Motility / Q000502:physiology*; D013094:Spermatozoa / Q000502:physiology; D014019:Tissue Donors
D002843:Chromatin; D006493:Heparin