title: Carbohydrates and glycoproteins involved in bovine fertilization in vitro.
abstract: In the present study, efforts were made towards identifying carbohydrates and glycoproteins involved in bovine in vitro fertilization (IVF). In vitro matured cumulus-oocyte complexes (COCs) were inseminated in the presence of a variety of carbohydrates and glycoproteins to determine which glycoconjugates act as competitive inhibitors of oocyte penetration. Among the carbohydrates and glycoproteins tested, D-mannose, fucoidan, dextran sulfate, and fibronectin were the most potent inhibitors of oocyte penetration (90% or more inhibition), while L-fucose and vitronectin inhibited the penetration rate to a lesser extent (around 50% inhibition). Other carbohydrates caused less than 40% inhibition (i.e., D-galactose, N-acetyl-D-galactosamine, D-fucose, and sialic acid) or were not effective as inhibitors of oocyte penetration (i.e., mannan, N-acetyl-D-glucosamine, dextran, and heparan sulfate). Heparin was the only carbohydrate that significantly increased the penetration rate. To exclude a possible toxic effect on spermatozoa, sperm motility was evaluated over time by means of computer-assisted sperm analysis in the presence of carbohydrates and/or glycoproteins that inhibited the penetration rate with 40% or more. L-fucose, dextran sulfate, and vitronectin did not significantly influence total and progressive sperm motility, whereas D-mannose, fucoidan, and fibronectin caused a significant, but slight reduction in both motility parameters. These results are indicative for the involvement of D-mannose, L-fucose, fucoidan, dextran sulfate, fibronectin, and vitronectin in bovine IVF.
authors.affiliation: Department of Reproduction, Obstetrics and Herd Health, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Merelbeke, Belgium.
authors.forename: S
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Tanghe
authors.forename: Ann
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Van Soom
authors.forename: L
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Duchateau
authors.forename: H
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Nauwynck
authors.forename: A
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: de Kruif
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D050260:Carbohydrate Metabolism; D002417:Cattle; D002448:Cell Adhesion / Q000187:drug effects / Q000502:physiology; D005260:Female; D005307:Fertilization in Vitro / Q000379:methods / Q000662:veterinary*; D005353:Fibronectins / Q000494:pharmacology; D006023:Glycoproteins / Q000494:pharmacology; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D051379:Mice; D009005:Monosaccharides / Q000494:pharmacology; D011506:Proteins / Q000378:metabolism*; D013081:Sperm Motility / Q000187:drug effects; D013084:Sperm-Ovum Interactions / Q000187:drug effects / Q000502:physiology; D013094:Spermatozoa / Q000502:physiology
chemical_list: D005353:Fibronectins; D006023:Glycoproteins; D009005:Monosaccharides; D011506:Proteins