The impact of seminal plasma components on the fertilization outcomes in humans is still under question. The increasing number of couples facing problems with conception raises the need for predictive biomarkers.
Detailed understanding of the molecular mechanisms accompanying fertilization remains another challenge Carbohydrate-protein recognition may be of key importance in this complex field In this study, we analyzed the unique glycosylation pattern of seminal plasma proteins, the display of high-mannose and hybrid-type oligosaccharides, by means of their reactivity with mannose-specific Galanthus nivalis lectin Normozoospermic infertile subjects presented decreased amounts of lectin-reactive glycoepitopes compared to fertile donors and infertile patients with abnormal semen parameters Glycoproteins containing unveiled mannose were isolated in affinity chromatography, and 17 glycoproteins were identified in liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry with electrospray ionization The N-glycome of the isolated glycoproteins was examined in matrix-assisted laser desorption ionization mass spectrometry Eleven out of 27 identified oligosaccharides expressed terminal mannose residues, responsible for lectin binding We suggest that lowered content of high-mannose and hybrid type glycans in normozoospermic infertile patients may be associated with impaired sperm protection from preterm capacitation and should be considered in the search for new infertility markers
International journal of molecular sciences 2015 Jul 02*** epublish ***
Beata Olejnik, Anna Jarząb, Ewa M Kratz, Mariusz Zimmer, Andrzej Gamian, Mirosława Ferens-Sieczkowska
Department of Chemistry and Immunochemistry, Wrocław Medical University, Bujwida 44A, 50-345 Wrocław, Poland olejnik k beata@gmail com , Institute of Immunology and Experimental Therapy, Polish Academy of Science, Rudolfa Weigla 12, 53-114 Wrocław, Poland anna jarzab@iitd pan wroc pl , Department of Chemistry and Immunochemistry, Wrocław Medical University, Bujwida 44A, 50-345 Wrocław, Poland ewa kratz@umed wroc pl , 2nd Department and Clinic of Gynaecology, Obstetrics and Neonatology, Wrocław Medical University, Borowska 213, 50-556 Wrocław, Poland mariusz zimmer@umed wroc pl , Institute of Immunology and Experimental Therapy, Polish Academy of Science, Rudolfa Weigla 12, 53-114 Wrocław, Poland andrzej gamian@umed wroc pl , Department of Chemistry and Immunochemistry, Wrocław Medical University, Bujwida 44A, 50-345 Wrocław, Poland