Effects of antibodies to sperm surface fertilization antigen-1 on human sperm-zona pellucida interaction.

Abstract

OBJECTIVE:

To investigate the effects of antibodies to well-defined sperm surface antigens (the fertilization antigen [FA-1] and germ-cell antigen [GA-1]) and nuclear antigen (protamine) on human sperm-zona interaction.

DESIGN:

Number of total and acrosome-reacted human sperm bound to the human zona pellucida and the sperm movement characteristics assessed by computer-aided sperm analysis were evaluated after incubation of sperm with the antibodies.

SETTING:

Academic research environment approved by the Institute Review Board.

PATIENTS:

Human oocytes were obtained from ovaries removed at surgery. Semen from fertile donors was used in all assays.

INTERVENTIONS:

Human oocytes were stored in salt solution at -80 degrees C until used. Spermatozoa were treated with the antibodies to various sperm antigens.

MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES:

Total and acrosome-reacted sperm bound to zona pellucida and sperm movement characteristics were evaluated after 3 to 5 hours of incubation of the antibodies with human sperm.

RESULTS:

Anti-FA-1 antibodies significantly reduced human sperm fusion with zona-free hamster oocytes and sperm binding to the human zona pellucida but did not affect binding of acrosome-reacted sperm and sperm movement characteristics. Anti-GA-1 and antiprotamine antibodies did not affect sperm-oocyte interaction, acrosomal reaction, or sperm motility.

CONCLUSIONS:

Antibodies to FA-1 but not to GA-1 and protamine inhibit human sperm-zona interaction.

• Authors: R K Naz, C Brazil, J W Overstreet
• Journal: Fertility and sterility (Fertil Steril) Vol. 57 Issue 6 Pg. 1304-10 (Jun 1992) ISSN: 0015-0282 [Print] United States
• PMID: 1601155 (Publication Type: Journal Article, Research Support, U.S. Gov't, P.H.S.)

Chemical References

• Antibodies
• Antigens
• Protamines
• fertilization antigen

Topics

• Acrosome (physiology)
• Antibodies (analysis, immunology, physiology)
• Antigens (immunology)
• Cell Membrane (immunology)
• Enzyme-Linked Immunosorbent Assay
• Female
• Germ Cells (immunology)
• Humans
• Male
• Protamines (immunology)
• Sperm Capacitation (physiology)
• Sperm Motility
• Sperm-Ovum Interactions (physiology)
• Spermatozoa (immunology)