Assessment of the human sperm acrosome reaction using concanavalin A lectin

Molecular Reproduction and Development
C A HoldenA O Trounson

Abstract

A method for assessment of the human sperm acrosome reaction is reported using fluorescein isothiocyanate (FITC)-conjugated Concanavalin A (ConA). The technique involved labelling prefixed spermatozoa, where only those spermatozoa that showed a complete loss of the acrosome bound FITC-ConA to the acrosomal region. Competitive sugar binding studies demonstrated that binding of ConA lectin to the acrosomal area of human spermatozoa was inhibited in the presence of 0.2 M D-mannose. Staining with the supravital stain Hoechst 33258 (H258) concomitantly with FITC-ConA allowed determination of only those spermatozoa that had undergone a true and not degenerative acrosomal loss. Incubation of human spermatozoa with 0, 1, 5, and 25 microM calcium ionophore, A23187, for 60 min demonstrated that changes in acrosomal status due to the different treatment protocols may be determined by the dual-staining method. Electron microscopy studies revealed that gold-conjugated ConA bound specifically to the surface of the inner acrosomal membrane of acrosome-reacted spermatozoa. A significant correlation (r = +.97) between transmission electron microscopy (TEM) and FITC-ConA labelling methods of acrosomal status assessment was achieved. The simple C...Continue Reading

References

Jul 1, 1978·Journal of Ultrastructure Research·W H Kinsey, J K Koehler
Sep 1, 1987·Journal of Reproduction and Fertility·D MortimerR G Miller
Mar 1, 1985·The Journal of Clinical Investigation·L J WiltonD M de Kretser
Feb 1, 1987·Human Reproduction·C E Stock, L R Fraser
May 1, 1986·Fertility and Sterility·T NagaeH Yanagimachi
Jun 1, 1985·Biology of Reproduction·D P WolfK B Bechtol
Feb 1, 1981·The Journal of Experimental Zoology·P Talbot, R S Chacon
May 1, 1981·Archives of Andrology·J K Koehler
Jan 1, 1981·Journal of Immunological Methods·G D Johnson, G M Nogueira Araujo

❮ Previous
Next ❯

Citations

Dec 1, 1996·Molecular Reproduction and Development·M A Garcia, S Meizel
May 1, 1992·Molecular Reproduction and Development·M E FarlinE L Squires
Feb 1, 1997·Journal of Assisted Reproduction and Genetics·J A Carver-WardJ M Hollanders
Jan 1, 1993·Reproductive Toxicology·F H Comhaire
Oct 24, 2000·Biology of the Cell·C PatratP Jouannet
Jun 1, 1995·International Journal of Andrology·S Kinger, M Rajalakshmi
Jan 6, 2000·American Journal of Reproductive Immunology : AJRI·B S JooH D Kim
Dec 25, 2009·Reproduction : the Official Journal of the Society for the Study of Fertility·Keiichi YoshidaKiyotaka Toshimori
Oct 26, 2005·Theriogenology·P F N Silva, B M Gadella
Dec 29, 2000·Andrologia·T ZeginiadouS Mantalenakis
Oct 1, 1993·Molecular Reproduction and Development·J TaoJ K Critser
Dec 15, 1992·The Journal of Experimental Zoology·C A Holden, A O Trounson
Nov 1, 1993·The Journal of Experimental Zoology·S Meizel, K O Turner
Jun 1, 1993·Asia-Oceania Journal of Obstetrics and Gynaecology·K Takahashi, M Kitao
Sep 1, 1993·Asia-Oceania Journal of Obstetrics and Gynaecology·K TakahashiM Kitao
Sep 1, 1997·Archives of Andrology·I MargalitH Breitbart
Oct 30, 2020·Molecular Reproduction and Development·Paula A BalestriniMariano G Buffone

❮ Previous
Next ❯

Related Concepts

Trending Feeds

COVID-19

Coronaviruses encompass a large family of viruses that cause the common cold as well as more serious diseases, such as the ongoing outbreak of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19; formally known as 2019-nCoV). Coronaviruses can spread from animals to humans; symptoms include fever, cough, shortness of breath, and breathing difficulties; in more severe cases, infection can lead to death. This feed covers recent research on COVID-19.

Blastomycosis

Blastomycosis fungal infections spread through inhaling Blastomyces dermatitidis spores. Discover the latest research on blastomycosis fungal infections here.

Nuclear Pore Complex in ALS/FTD

Alterations in nucleocytoplasmic transport, controlled by the nuclear pore complex, may be involved in the pathomechanism underlying multiple neurodegenerative diseases including Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis and Frontotemporal Dementia. Here is the latest research on the nuclear pore complex in ALS and FTD.

Applications of Molecular Barcoding

The concept of molecular barcoding is that each original DNA or RNA molecule is attached to a unique sequence barcode. Sequence reads having different barcodes represent different original molecules, while sequence reads having the same barcode are results of PCR duplication from one original molecule. Discover the latest research on molecular barcoding here.

Chronic Fatigue Syndrome

Chronic fatigue syndrome is a disease characterized by unexplained disabling fatigue; the pathology of which is incompletely understood. Discover the latest research on chronic fatigue syndrome here.

Evolution of Pluripotency

Pluripotency refers to the ability of a cell to develop into three primary germ cell layers of the embryo. This feed focuses on the mechanisms that underlie the evolution of pluripotency. Here is the latest research.

Position Effect Variegation

Position Effect Variagation occurs when a gene is inactivated due to its positioning near heterochromatic regions within a chromosome. Discover the latest research on Position Effect Variagation here.

STING Receptor Agonists

Stimulator of IFN genes (STING) are a group of transmembrane proteins that are involved in the induction of type I interferon that is important in the innate immune response. The stimulation of STING has been an active area of research in the treatment of cancer and infectious diseases. Here is the latest research on STING receptor agonists.

Microbicide

Microbicides are products that can be applied to vaginal or rectal mucosal surfaces with the goal of preventing, or at least significantly reducing, the transmission of sexually transmitted infections. Here is the latest research on microbicides.