Glycodelin binding to human ejaculated spermatozoa is correlated with sperm morphology.
OBJECTIVE
To investigate glycodelin (Gd) binding to the surface of sperm cells in relation to sperm morphology and seminal plasma Gd.


METHODS
Retrospective study.


METHODS
University-based IVF Unit, Department of Gynecology and Obstetrics.


METHODS
A total of 5,749 spermatozoa from 42 patients were analyzed.


METHODS
Evaluation of sperm cell morphology according to World Health Organization criteria, measurement of Gd binding by an immunocytochemical staining method, scoring of Gd binding per spermatozoon, and assessment of Gd levels in seminal plasma Gd by ELISA.


METHODS
Glycodelin binding per sperm cell was correlated with ejaculate classes, single cell morphology, and Gd in seminal plasma.


RESULTS
Variability was observed in the scoring of sperm surface Gd binding per ejaculate and of the Gd levels (36.4-578.2 microg/mL) in human seminal plasma. Surface and seminal plasma Gd values showed no correlation in all cases. However, Gd adherence to the sperm surface depended on sperm morphology according WHO-criteria. There was reduced Gd binding to normal-shaped male gametes compared with abnormal spermatozoa.


CONCLUSIONS
Glycodelin binding to human spermatozoa correlates with sperm morphology. The variability of Gd adherence suggests differences in sperm membrane properties according to the quality of the spermatozoa.
Gneist
Nadja
N
Department of Gynecology and Obstetrics, Medical Center, Technical University Dresden, Dresden, Germany. nadja.gneist@uniklinikum-dresden.de
Keck
Gudrun
G
Zimmermann
Anja
A
Trinkaus
Ina
I
Kuhlisch
Eberhard
E
Distler
Wolfgang
W
D001665:Binding Sites / Q000502:physiology; D004542:Ejaculation / Q000502:physiology*; D000071816:Glycodelin; D006023:Glycoproteins / Q000378:metabolism*; D006801:Humans; D007248:Infertility, Male / Q000378:metabolism; D008297:Male; D011257:Pregnancy Proteins / Q000378:metabolism*; D011485:Protein Binding / Q000502:physiology; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D013081:Sperm Motility / Q000502:physiology*; D013094:Spermatozoa / Q000166:cytology* / Q000378:metabolism* / Q000502:physiology
D000071816:Glycodelin; D006023:Glycoproteins; C045246:PAEP protein, human; D011257:Pregnancy Proteins