Human tubal secretion can modify the affinity of human spermatozoa for the zona pellucida.
OBJECTIVE
To study the effect of the human tubal tissue conditioned medium (CM) on sperm parameters related to sperm-zona pellucida interaction.


METHODS
Controlled experimental laboratory study.


METHODS
Research laboratory.


METHODS
Semen samples from donors with normozoospermia. Human tubal tissue obtained from women undergoing hysterectomies. Human follicular fluids (hFF) and oocytes collected from patients undergoing IVF-ET.


METHODS
Incubation of spermatozoa with CM proteins obtained from human tubal tissue culture; sperm binding to the zona pellucida assessment.


METHODS
Explants' viability was assessed by tissue DNA analysis. Sperm ability to interact with zona was tested with use of the whole oocyte test. Expression of d-mannose binding sites was assessed with use of a fluorescent probe on mannose coupled to bovine serum albumin. Human FF-induced acrosome reaction was assessed by the Pisum sativum technique.


RESULTS
Although treatment with 0.8 microg/microL of CM allowed sperm binding to the zona and the expression of d-mannose binding sites comparable with sperm in control medium, with 3.2 microg/mL of CM resulted in a significant decrease of both parameters. No effect of CM on spontaneous or hFF-induced acrosome reaction or in sperm viability was observed.


CONCLUSIONS
The results indicate that the incubation of spermatozoa in the presence of CM reduces sperm affinity for the zona pellucida. This effect can be partly explained by the decreased expression of d-mannose binding sites on the sperm surface.
Munuce
María José
MJ
Laboratorio de Estudios Reproductivos, Facultad de Ciencias Bioquímicas y Farmaceuticas, School of Biochemical and Pharmacéutical Sciences, National University of Rosario, Rosario, Argentina. reprolab@citynet.net.ar
Serravalle
Analía
A
Caille
Adriana M
AM
Zumoffen
Carlos
C
Botti
Gustavo
G
Cabada
Marcelo
M
Ghersevich
Sergio
S
D020101:Acrosome Reaction; D000328:Adult; D001665:Binding Sites; D002470:Cell Survival; D017077:Culture Media, Conditioned / Q000378:metabolism; D004249:DNA Damage; D005187:Fallopian Tubes / Q000378:metabolism*; D005260:Female; D015571:Follicular Fluid / Q000378:metabolism; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008358:Mannose / Q000378:metabolism; D008875:Middle Aged; D013094:Spermatozoa / Q000378:metabolism*; D046509:Tissue Culture Techniques; D015044:Zona Pellucida / Q000378:metabolism*
D017077:Culture Media, Conditioned; D008358:Mannose