Antibodies to human sperm YLP12 peptide that is involved in egg binding inhibit human sperm capacitation/acrosome reaction.

Abstract

Recently, the authors reported a novel dodecamer peptide sequence, designated as YLP12 on human sperm, that is involved in binding to zona pellucida (ZP) of human oocyte [10]. This unique sequence is present on the acrosomal region of the human sperm cell and is expressed only in human testis/ sperm. The aim of the present study was to examine whether YLP12 sequence is involved in capacitation/acrosome reaction. Swim-up sperm were capacitated with anti-YLP12 Fab' antibodies or control Fab's (40 and 85 microg/mL) and then the acrosome reaction was induced with calcium ionophore. An average of 64-73% sperm underwent acrosome reaction when they were capacitated in the presence of 40-85 microg/mL of bovine serum albumin or control Fab's. A significant (p < .01 to < .001) reduction (58-75%) in the percentage of acrosome-reacted sperm was observed when the sperm were capacitated in the presence of YLP12 Fab's. These data indicate that the YLP12 peptide sequence is involved in sperm capacitation / acrosome reaction, and may find clinical applications in the diagnosis and treatment of male infertility and immunocontraception.

• Authors: R K Naz, J L Packianathan
• Journal: Archives of andrology (Arch Androl) 2000 Nov-Dec Vol. 45 Issue 3 Pg. 227-32 ISSN: 0148-5016 [Print] England
• PMID: 11111871 (Publication Type: Journal Article, Research Support, U.S. Gov't, P.H.S.)

Chemical References

• Antigens, Surface
• Immunoglobulin Fab Fragments
• Peptides

Topics

• Acrosome Reaction (drug effects, immunology)
• Animals
• Antigens, Surface (chemistry, immunology)
• Cattle
• Humans
• Immunoglobulin Fab Fragments (pharmacology)
• Male
• Peptides (chemical synthesis, immunology)
• Sperm Capacitation (drug effects, immunology)
• Testis (physiology)
• Zona Pellucida (immunology, physiology)