Sialoglycoproteins of ejaculated human spermatozoa and seminal plasma

Abstract

Ejaculated human sperm were found to possess three major sialoglycoproteins with molecular weights of 30 000, 14 000 and 12 000 and one minor species of 18 000. Liquefied seminal plasma from normal donors contain two major sialoglycoproteins with molecular weights of 17 000 and 15 000 and two minor species of 70 000 and 54 000. In contrast, the liquefied sperm-free semen of vasectomized men had two major species of sialoglycoproteins of 20 000 and 18 000 daltons plus two minor species of 54 000 and 40 000.

Seminal Plasma Levels of Fucosyltransferase, Galactosyltransferase and Sialyltransferase in Normospermic and Oligospermic Men

“…The presence of sialoglycoproteins in the epididymal fluid and on the surface of spermatozoa has been established [ 16,17], The sialoglycoproteins in hu man seminal plasma are mainly contributed by the male accessory glands since vasectomy does not significantly alter the components detected [18]. Therefore, seminal plasma glycosyltransferases as studied here may be im portant for the maintenance of these glycoproteins.…”

Biochemical composition of washed human seminal coagulum in comparison to sperm-free semen from the same donors

“…The demonstration of sialic acid and amino sugar in the washed coagulum by 25% of the total content as integral parts and the qualitative evidence presented elsewhere (Kusamran & Surakarnkul, 1983;Wongkome & Chulavatnatol, 1984) indicate that sialoglycoproteins are associated with the coagulum structure of human semen. The existence of vesicular components in soluble and insoluble forms suggest that, for critical evaluation of seminal vesicular activity from semen, measurements of at least one of the soluble markers (e.g.…”

Demonstration of Galactosyltransferase Activity in Human Seminal Plasma and Its Relation to Sperm Penetration in Cervical Mucus

“…The secretions of genital accessory glands abound in glycoproteins [1][2][3][4][5][6], Protein biosynthetic processes have been studied extensively in male genital glands, particu larly in relation to regulation of their development and functions by androgens and other hormones [7,8], Con siderably less is known about the posttranslational incor poration of sugars into glycoproteins by these tissues [9], The group of enzymes responsible for this biochemical process are the glycosyltransferases. Accordingly, they catalyze the transfer of a sugar moiety in the biosynthesis of certain heteropolysaccharides [10,11].…”