beta-Microseminoprotein in human spermatozoa and its potential role in male fertility.
beta-Microseminoprotein (MSMB) is one of the most abundant proteins in human seminal plasma. The objectives of this study were: (1) to purify MSMB from seminal plasma (SP) and generate antibodies against the pure protein; (2) to investigate the interaction of MSMB with ejaculated spermatozoa and its possible effect on the spontaneous acrosome reaction (AR); and (3) to quantify MSMB content in SP and examine its relationship with the clinical sperm parameters. MSMB was purified from SP and its presence on the sperm surface was examined by indirect immunofluorescence using a specific polyclonal antibody. The effect of MSMB on the AR was evaluated using guinea pig epididymal spermatozoa as a model. MSMB quantification assay was performed with a two-site binding ELISA using two polyclonal antibodies against MSMB. MSMB was assessed in semen samples from fertile donors (controls) and subfertile patients according to World Health Organization criteria. MSMB was detected on the sperm surface and mainly localized to the acrosomal region of the head and neck. A significant spontaneous AR inhibition was observed when guinea pig epididymal spermatozoa were preincubated with MSMB. Finally, MSMB was significantly increased in subfertile patients when compared with fertile controls (P<0.02). The association of MSMB to the sperm surface, the inhibitor effect on the spontaneous AR and the increased MSMB levels found in SP in subfertile men suggests a relationship between this protein and semen quality and a possible role in the process of fertilization.
Anahí Franchi
N
N
Laboratorio de Bioquímica y Biología Reproductiva, Instituto de Ciencia y Tecnología de Alimentos, Facultad de Ciencias Exactas, Físicas y Naturales, Universidad Nacional de Córdoba, Córdoba 5000, Argentina. franchna@evms.edu
Avendaño
Conrado
C
Molina
Rosa I
RI
Tissera
Andrea D
AD
Maldonado
Cristina A
CA
Oehninger
Sergio
S
Coronel
Carlos E
CE
D020101:Acrosome Reaction; D000818:Animals; D000906:Antibodies / Q000494:pharmacology; D016022:Case-Control Studies; D004797:Enzyme-Linked Immunosorbent Assay / Q000379:methods; D005298:Fertility / Q000502:physiology*; D019084:Fluorescent Antibody Technique, Indirect; D006168:Guinea Pigs; D006801:Humans; D007248:Infertility, Male / Q000378:metabolism; D008297:Male; D016253:Microscopy, Immunoelectron; D029584:Prostatic Secretory Proteins / Q000032:analysis* / Q000276:immunology; D012661:Semen / Q000737:chemistry / Q000378:metabolism; D013077:Sperm Head / Q000737:chemistry; D013094:Spermatozoa / Q000737:chemistry* / Q000378:metabolism; D013552:Swine
D000906:Antibodies; D029584:Prostatic Secretory Proteins; C043076:beta-microseminoprotein