Insulin growth factors may be implicated in human sperm capacitation.
This study was designed to determine whether or not insulin-like growth factor (IGF)-1 and its receptor are present in the human male genital tract. The IGF-1 receptor was found in seminal plasma from fertile and infertile men, but no IGF-1 receptor was observed in sperm from patients with a history of more failed fertilization. The presence of the IGF-1 receptor in the plasma membrane of human sperm is proposed as a future tool for male sterility assessment.
Sánchez-Luengo
Silvia
S
Human Reproduction Department, Hospital la Fe, Avda Campanar 21, 46009 Valencia, Spain. sslvalencia@lycos.es
Fernández
Pedro J
PJ
Romeu
Alberto
A
D005298:Fertility / Q000502:physiology; D005455:Fluorescent Antibody Technique; D006801:Humans; D007248:Infertility, Male / Q000378:metabolism*; D007334:Insulin-Like Growth Factor I / Q000378:metabolism*; D008297:Male; D017526:Receptor, IGF Type 1 / Q000378:metabolism*; D012661:Semen / Q000378:metabolism; D013075:Sperm Capacitation / Q000502:physiology*
D007334:Insulin-Like Growth Factor I; D017526:Receptor, IGF Type 1