AMP-activated kinase (AMPK), a protein that regulates energy balance and metabolism, has recently been identified in boar spermatozoa where regulates key functional sperm processes essential for fertilization. This work's aims are AMPK identification, intracellular localization, and their role in human spermatozoa function. Semen was obtained from healthy human donors. Sperm AMPK and phospho-Th...

The effect of iron on the attachment of gonococci to human spermatozoa was investigated using the three iron salts, ferric chloride, ferric nitrate, and ammonium ferric citrate (AFC). Ferric chloride and ferric nitrate were found to be unsuitable for such studies because they were insoluble at physiological pH values, produced a marked decrease in the pH of unbuffered medium (Ringer's solution)...

Incorporation of A23187 ionophore into the human-hamster fertilization system clearly improves the ability of human spermatozoa to penetrate zona-free hamster oocytes. Thus, an increasing number of laboratories working in human sperm cytogenetics have substituted classical incubation with Biggers-Whitten-Whittingham (BWW) medium plus human serum albumin (HSA) by pretreatment of spermatozoa with...

OBJECTIVE Epididymal protease inhibitor (Eppin) was located on the surface of spermatozoa and modulates the liquefaction of human semen. Here, we identify the correlative protein partner of Eppin to explore the molecular mechanism of liquefaction of human semen. METHODS (1) Human seminal vesicle proteins were transferred on the membrane by Western blotting and separated by 2-D electrophoresis...

It has been suggested that human spermatozoa contain an NADPH oxidase that could generate reactive oxygen species involved in signalling pathways to promote fertility. The proposal depends on observations that the addition of NADPH to purified human spermatozoa stimulates chemiluminescence by the superoxide (O2-) probe, lucigenin. We confirmed these observations, but demonstrated that lucigenin...

Fertilization depends on successful binding of the spermatozoa to the zona pellucida of the oocyte. Glycodelin-A inhibits spermatozoa-zona pellucida binding. Previous data showed that glycodelin-A receptor(s) and zona pellucida protein receptor(s) on human spermatozoa are closely related. Using a chemical cross-linking approach, the glycodelin-A-sperm receptor complex was isolated. The receptor...

Background: The objective of present study was to assess potential of DHR123 (dihydrorhodamine 123) fluorescent probe for measurement of H2O2 produced by human spermatozoa and comparing the results with DCFH-DA (2', 7'-dichlorodihydrofluorescein diacetate). Materials and Methods: Fluorescent intensity and percentage R123 and DCF positive sperm measured by flow cytometry. The suitable ...

The acrosome reaction (AR), an absolute requirement for spermatozoa and egg fusion, requires the influx of Ca²(+) into the spermatozoa through voltage-dependent Ca²(+) channels and store-operated channels. Maitotoxin (MTx), a Ca²(+)-mobilizing agent, has been shown to be a potent inducer of the mouse sperm AR, with a pharmacology similar to that of the zona pellucida (ZP), possibly suggesting a...

The female steroid hormone progesterone regulates ovulation and supports pregnancy, but also controls human sperm function within the female reproductive tract. Progesterone causes elevation of sperm intracellular Ca(2+) leading to sperm hyperactivation, acrosome reaction, and perhaps chemotaxis toward the egg. Although it has been suggested that progesterone-dependent Ca(2+) influx into human ...