Presence and subcellular localizations of surfactant proteins A and D in human spermatozoa.
OBJECTIVE
To investigate the presence of surfactant protein-A (SP-A); molecular weight 34 kDa and surfactant protein-D (SP-D); and molecular weight 43 kDa in human spermatozoa.


METHODS
Prospective, research study.


METHODS
Two universities in Turkey.


METHODS
Semen specimens (n = 10) were obtained from normozoospermic donors.


METHODS
Human sperm were exposed to an anti-human SP-A polyclonal antibody, and monoclonal antibody, to human SP-D protein.


METHODS
Presence of SP-A and SP-D proteins in human beings.


RESULTS
Indirect immunofluorescence assays of human sperm indicated the presence of SP-A in the mid piece, the tail, and sometimes at the equatorial region of spermatozoa. A brilliant green light detected SP-D in the tails and acrosome of some sperm. The anti-SP-A antibody detected a single band corresponding to the molecular weight values of 34 kDa in spermatozoa, whereas no band was observed in the negative control. The anti-SP-D antibody showed the expected band at 43 kDa in spermatozoa.


CONCLUSIONS
This is the first report and a novel finding of the presence of surfactant glycoproteins on human spermatozoa.
Kankavi
Orhan
O
Department of Biochemistry, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, University of Mehmet Akif Ersoy, Burdur, Turkey. okankavi@hotmail.com
Ata
Ayhan
A
Celik-Ozenci
Ciler
C
Sati
Leyla
L
Ciftcioglu
Mehmet Akif
MA
Demir
Ramazan
R
Baykara
Mehmet
M
D000177:Acrosome / Q000737:chemistry; D015153:Blotting, Western; D019084:Fluorescent Antibody Technique, Indirect; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D011446:Prospective Studies; D037662:Pulmonary Surfactant-Associated Protein A / Q000032:analysis*; D037663:Pulmonary Surfactant-Associated Protein D / Q000032:analysis*; D032961:Sperm Midpiece / Q000737:chemistry; D013082:Sperm Tail / Q000737:chemistry; D013094:Spermatozoa / Q000737:chemistry*; D014421:Turkey
D037662:Pulmonary Surfactant-Associated Protein A; D037663:Pulmonary Surfactant-Associated Protein D