Abstract

A protein-carbohydrate recognition system is thought to be involved in the early stages of fertilization in mammals. In this investigation carbohydrate-binding proteins have been identified in extracts of human, bull, boar, ram, stallion and hamster spermatozoa using [125I]fucoidin and [125I]neoglycoproteins (BSA-fucose and BSA-mannose) to probe Western blots. Results show that proacrosin is the major protein species recognized in extracts of human, bull, boar and ram spermatozoa. In hamster and stallion spermatozoa, carbohydrate-binding activity was associated with several low molecular weight proteins that may or may not be related to active forms of acrosin. These results support the hypothesis that proacrosin is involved in secondary or consolidated binding of mammalian spermatozoa to the zona pellucida by virtue of its carbohydrate-binding capacity.

Talk to us

Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have

Schedule a call

Disclaimer: All third-party content on this website/platform is and will remain the property of their respective owners and is provided on "as is" basis without any warranties, express or implied. Use of third-party content does not indicate any affiliation, sponsorship with or endorsement by them. Any references to third-party content is to identify the corresponding services and shall be considered fair use under The CopyrightLaw.