Erythropoietin receptor-like immunostaining on human spermatozoa.
This study aimed to demonstrate the presence of erythropoietin (EPO) receptor on spermatozoa. Whole ejaculates of four healthy volunteers were incubated with polyclonal rabbit anti-EPO receptor and subsequently stained with a Cy-3 labelled secondary antibody. Four slides per subject were analysed, no staining was observed in slides incubated with either primary or secondary antibody alone. EPO receptor staining was positive in 92±8% of EPO pre-treated and 91±4% of non-treated sperm cells. The results suggest that spermatozoa express EPO receptor on plasma membrane, which might act to protect these cells from damage after ejaculation.
Tug
Niyazi
N
Yeditepe University Faculty of Medicine, Istanbul, Turkey. niyazitug@hotmail.com
Kilic
Ulkan
U
Karateke
Ates
A
Yilmaz
Bayram
B
Ugur
Milas
M
Kilic
Ertugrul
E
D000328:Adult; D000818:Animals; D002462:Cell Membrane / Q000737:chemistry*; D004921:Erythropoietin / Q000494:pharmacology; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D011817:Rabbits / Q000276:immunology; D017467:Receptors, Erythropoietin / Q000378:metabolism*; D013094:Spermatozoa / Q000737:chemistry* / Q000187:drug effects
D017467:Receptors, Erythropoietin; D004921:Erythropoietin