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 µg/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 µg/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.

• Acrosome Reaction Antisperm Antibodies Capacitation Human Sperm Sperm Antigens