Abstract
Background: The degree of branching and types of fucosylation of glycans on α 1-acid glycoprotein (AGP) have been found to be associated with α 1-acid glycoprotein concentrations in human seminal plasma. The glycosylation pattern of α 1-acid glycoprotein in seminal plasma obtained from men living in infertile couples can undergo alterations in relation to sperm analysis and/or α 1-acid glycoprotein concentrations. Methods: The glycosylation of α 1-acid glycoprotein was studied upon the reactivity with specific lectins by crossed affinity immunoelectrophoresis (concanavalin A), and by glycoprotein lectin immunosorbent assay ( Maackia amurensis and Sambucus nigra lectins), as well as high pH anion-exchange chromatography with pulsed amperometric detection. Results: Nonsignificant differences in α 1-acid glycoprotein glycan branching and degree of its sialylation were observed among the AGP derived from seminal plasmas in relation to spermiogram and sperm morphology. However, significant concentration-dependent differences were found in extent of branching and type of sialylation. Conclusions: The presence in seminal plasma of high concentrations of aberrantly glycosylated AGP molecules might be indicative for a chronic inflammatory condition in the reproductive tract, and can be used as additional tool to subdivide the seminal plasmas of men living in infertile couples.
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