Characterization and Isolation of a Sperm-Coating Antigen From Rabbit Seminal Plasma With Capacity to Block Fertilization

Hunter, A.G.; Nornes, H. O.

doi:10.1530/jrf.0.0200419

Cited by 60 publications

(29 citation statements)

References 17 publications

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“…Since Bedford and Chang (1962) first suggested that a mucoprotein may be involved in decapacitation, several reports have supported this contention (Hunter and Nornes, 1969;Reyes et al, 1975;Eng and Oliphant, 1978;Thomas et al, 1984). Immunoelectrophoresis using antiserum against whole seminal plasma indicated that one antigen was readily removed from seminal plasma by 4 hr of ultracentrifugation (Hunter and Nornes, 1969).…”

Section: Stabilization Of the Acrosome And Consequential Sperm Decapamentioning

confidence: 99%

“…Immunoelectrophoresis using antiserum against whole seminal plasma indicated that one antigen was readily removed from seminal plasma by 4 hr of ultracentrifugation (Hunter and Nornes, 1969). Since it was well established that such treatment removed the decapacitation activity (Bedford and Chang, 1962;Weinman and Williams, 19641, Hunter and Nornes concluded that this glycoprotein must have decapacitation activity.…”

Section: Stabilization Of the Acrosome And Consequential Sperm Decapamentioning

confidence: 99%

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Sperm surface components involved in the control of the acrosome reaction

1985

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Several lines of evidence suggest that decapacitation of sperm occurs normally in the male reproductive tract, and as a result the acrosome is stabilized and the acrosome reaction is controlled. Since the defining experiments in 1951, where decapacitation was reversed in the female reproductive tract by capacitation, investigations have pursued the molecular events of this process. This review attempts to examine critically the older literature and compare that perspective with the current theories. The theories for decapacitation of sperm include the possible role of a peptide decapacitation factor, a glycoprotein-mediated steroid transfer to the sperm, masking of a galactosyl transferase by some macromolecule-containing carbohydrate, preclusion of calcium influx by a binding protein, and sperm interaction with the acrosome stabilizing factor. Although these theories are diverse, there are some unifying aspects. However, there remain some major unanswered questions. For example, although we point to some circumstantial evidence that infers a single decapacitation factor, this needs to be further substantiated. It is concluded that with the purification of a macromolecule involved in capacitation, specific proposals on the mechanism of capacitation, and new tools to evaluate the capacitation process, it is likely that another decade will not pass without emergence of a unifying molecular theory of sperm capacitation.

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Section: Stabilization Of the Acrosome And Consequential Sperm Decapamentioning

confidence: 99%

Section: Stabilization Of the Acrosome And Consequential Sperm Decapamentioning

confidence: 99%

Sperm surface components involved in the control of the acrosome reaction

1985

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“…Isolation of the inhibitor of fertilization in rabbit seminal plasma has recently been reported by other workers (13). These authors failed, however, to give data directly concerning inhibitory activity in the purified fraction; moreover, they attribute to it a molecular weight of 170,000.…”

Section: Resultsmentioning

confidence: 95%

Macromolecular Inhibitor of Fertilization in Rabbit Seminal Plasma

Davis

1971

Proc. Natl. Acad. Sci. U.S.A.

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A large (86S) glycoprotein isolated from rabbit seminal plasma acts on sperm cells to block fertilization. The proportion of fertilized eggs recovered from does 1 day after tubal insemination of sperm 5-6 hr before or 2-3 hr after ovulation was significantly depressed when uterine-capacitated spermatozoa were exposed to this substance at concentrations of 20-72 pg of protein/ml.Rabbit seminal plasma was estimated to have about 2 mg/ml of this factor. Another large glycoprotein (,138S) is also present in rabbit seminal plasma; the function of this molecule awaits elucidation.Spermatozoa from several mammalian species have been known for some time to need a period of hours within the female reproductive tract before gaining the capacity for fertilization (1-3). The presence of an inhibitor of spermatozoan fertilizing capacity, of a high molecular weight, in rabbit seminal plasma, has been suspected since it was observed that ultracentrifugation removes within a few hours the inhibitory effect of seminal plasma upon fertilization (4, 5). Conceivably, this factor masks, under physiological conditions, the fertilizing capacity of sperm cells in rabbits and perhaps other mammalian species. If substant ated, it would be a novel molecular regulator of cellular function.An attempt to isolate this putative inhibitor molecule was undertaken. Two high molecular weight fractions were recovered after ultracentrifugation of rabbit seminal plasma on relatively dense sucrose zones. The slower-sedimenting fraction inhibits fertilization in a manner similar to that of seminal plasma; evidence revealing it to be a glycoprotein was obtained. MATERIALS AND METHODS Seminal plasmaSamples of seminal plasma were collected with the aid of an artificial vagina from intact and vasectomized bucks. Seminal plasma from each source was treated separately, but the individual samples collected for a day were pooled. These samples were then centrifuged at 3000 rpm (1000 X g) for 5 min (seminal plasma from vasectomized bucks) or 30 min (seminal plasma from intact animals). The resulting supernatant was aspirated off and stored at -4"C. Samples obviously contaminated with urine were not included. FractionationInitially, seminal plasma was concentrated about threefold in a collodion bag apparatus (Schleicher & Schuell) that retains molecules of molecular weight over 100,000. About 1.5-2.0 ml of concentrated seminal plasma was layered over a 5-25% (w/v) Another procedure, which permitted reasonably large volumes of seminal plasma to be fractionated, was also employed. In this method, 6 ml of 20% sucrose was layered on 4 ml of 80% sucrose, and 17 ml of seminal plasma was pipetted on top. The sucrose solutions were made up in 0.15 M KCl-0.01 M Tris, pH 7.4, as before. Centrifugation was for 8.5 hr. 0.5-ml fractions were collected throughout the sucrose region of this preparation; the upper part, the original seminal plasma region, was aspirated off. The absorbance of these fractions at 270 nm was recorded, and the total UV-absorption spectrum ...

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“…In addition to motility and morphology of the spermatozoa, factors such as biochemical characteristics of sperm cells and seminal plasma, uterine contractility, and the micro-environment of the female reproductive tract might be essential components for successful fertilization to take place. This is supported by studies on both horses and other species, suggesting that the integrity of the macromolecules of the sperm membrane is an important component of sperm longevity in sows (Pavelko and Crabo 1976), that uterine contractility in response to semen may be associated with sperm transport in the mare (Katila et al 2000), that sperm transport is affected by prostaglandin in ram semen (Gustavsson et al 1977), and that membrane biochemistry is important for sperm capacitation, acrosome reaction and the final steps of fertilization (Hunter and Nornes 1969). All these factors may affect transport and survival of viable spermatozoa, and elimination of non-viable and excess spermatozoa from the mare's reproductive tract.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Interaction between spermatozoa and the mare’s reproductive is mediated by biochemical, physical, and inflammatory mechanisms

Troedsson¹

2006

PHK

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SummarySperm transport and elimination from the mare's reproductive tract are important components of the events that lead to fertilization and successful development of an embryo. Following deposition of semen into the uterine body, viable spermatozoa are transported to the oviduct by a combination of sperm motility, uterine contractility, and epithelial cilia activity. This process is facilitated by the release of oxytocin from the pituitary, as well as prostaglandins and estrogen in seminal plasma. The myoelectrical activity in the uterus shows a two-wave pattern following AI. The first immediate phase of contractions is believed to be involved in both sperm transport to the oviduct, and elimination of excess spermatozoa through the cervix. The second phase of contractions coincides with an inflammatory response to spermatozoa. The inflammation is an important physiological component of sperm elimination from the mare's reproductive tract. It is regulated by seminal components. Spermatozoa activate complement in uterine secretion, resulting in chemotaxis of PMNs into the uterine lumen. The PMNs bind to spermatozoa that consequently are removed from the uterus by phagocytosis. Inflammatory mediators, such as PGF2α, cause contraction of the myometrium, and residual spermatozoa, accumulated fluid, and harmful inflammatory products are removed by this second wave of uterine contractions. Once these products are removed from the uterine lumen, the inflammation subsides and the uterine environment returns to its normal state. Specific seminal plasma proteins modulate breeding-induced endometritis, and appear to selectively protect viable spermatozoa from binding to PMNs.Keywords: mare, post-breeding-endometritis, uterine clearance, spermatozoa, inseminate components Der Einfluss von biochemischen, physikalischen und entzündlichen Mechanismen bei den Interaktionen zwischen Spermatozoen und dem Genitaltrakt der Stute Der Transport der Spermien und ihre Elimination aus dem Stutengenitale stellen wichtige Komponenten innerhalb der Vorgänge dar, die zur Konzeption und zur erfolgreichen Entwicklung des Embryos führen. Nach dem Verbringen des Samens in die Gebärmutter werden lebensfähige Spermatozoen in die Eileiter transportiert. Dies geschieht durch eine Kombination von Spermienmotilität, uterinen Kontraktionen und epithelialer Zilienaktivität. Dieser Prozess wird unterstützt durch die Oxytocinfreisetzung aus der Hypophyse sowie durch Prostaglandine und Östrogen im Seminalplasma. Die myoelektrische Aktivität des Uterus weist nach der instrumentellen Samenübertragung eine zweifache Wellenbewegung auf. Die erste, sofort einsetzende Kontraktionsphase ist vermutlich sowohl beim Spermientransport in den Eileiter als auch bei der Elimination überschüssiger Spermatozoen durch die Zervix involviert. Die zweite Phase der Kontraktionen trifft mit der Entzündungsreaktion auf die Spermatozoen zusammen. Die Entzündung ist ein wichtiger physiologischer Bestandteil bei der Spermienelimination aus dem Stutengeniale. Sie wird durch die ...

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Characterization and Isolation of a Sperm-Coating Antigen From Rabbit Seminal Plasma With Capacity to Block Fertilization

Cited by 60 publications

References 17 publications

Sperm surface components involved in the control of the acrosome reaction

Sperm surface components involved in the control of the acrosome reaction

Macromolecular Inhibitor of Fertilization in Rabbit Seminal Plasma

Interaction between spermatozoa and the mare’s reproductive is mediated by biochemical, physical, and inflammatory mechanisms

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