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Comparative flow cytometric analysis of the human sperm acrosome reaction using CD46 antibody and lectins

  • Genetics
  • Published:
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Abstract

Purpose: Our purpose was to determine the most suitable marker for the human sperm acrosome reaction, based on detection of CD46 antibody binding compared with lectin binding.

Methods: Flow cytometric analysis of CD46 antibody versus lectins (PNA, PSA, and Con A) was used to quantify the acrosome reaction of human sperm.

Results: Neither PSA nor Con A was able to detect significant changes in the spontaneous and ionophore-induced acrosome reactions compared to CD46 antibody. However, PNA was found to exhibit a binding pattern similar to that observed with CD46 and could be used to quantify measurable changes in acrosomal response to ionophore, albeit of a lower magnitude than the responses detected by CD46.

Conclusions: We conclude that PNA binds to the inner acrosomal membrane of acrosome-reacted sperm and is suitable for use as a marker of the acrosome reaction by flow cytometry. Data are presented which clarify the assessment of the acrosome reaction when CD46 and lectins are used.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. IVF Laboratory, Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine, King Faisal Specialist Hospital and Research Centre, P.O. Box 3354, 11211, Riyadh, Saudi Arabia

    J. A. Carver-Ward

  2. Department of Biological and Medical Research, King Faisal Specialist Hospital and Research Centre, P.O. Box 3354, 11211, Riyadh, Saudi Arabia

    I. M. Moran-Verbeek

  3. Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, King Faisal Specialist Hospital and Research Centre, P.O. Box 3354, 11211, Riyadh, Saudi Arabia

    J. M. G. Hollanders

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  1. J. A. Carver-Ward
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  2. I. M. Moran-Verbeek
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  3. J. M. G. Hollanders
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Carver-Ward, J.A., Moran-Verbeek, I.M. & Hollanders, J.M.G. Comparative flow cytometric analysis of the human sperm acrosome reaction using CD46 antibody and lectins. J Assist Reprod Genet 14, 111–119 (1997). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF02765780

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/BF02765780

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