OBJECTIVE: To identify the DAZL transcript and protein location in human spermatozoa. DESIGN: In vitro experiment. SETTING: University-based reproductive genetics laboratory. PATIENT(S): A fertile volunteer. INTERVENTION(S): Reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR), Western blot, and immunostaining for DAZL. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURE(S): Expression of DAZL in human spermatozoa. RESULT(S): The DAZL-specific primers yield a 128 bp product in ejaculate. A protein of approximately 33.5 kDa was detected by Western blot analysis. Immunofluorescence staining showed strong homogeneous staining in the midpiece of spermatozoa and weak staining in the principal piece. A speckled-type distribution was found in the head region. CONCLUSION(S): The DAZL transcript and protein are present in human spermatozoa. The roles of DAZL protein in sperm motility and in the sperm-oocyte interaction await further investigation.
OBJECTIVE: To identify the DAZL transcript and protein location in human spermatozoa. DESIGN: In vitro experiment. SETTING: University-based reproductive genetics laboratory. PATIENT(S): A fertile volunteer. INTERVENTION(S): Reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR), Western blot, and immunostaining for DAZL. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURE(S): Expression of DAZL in human spermatozoa. RESULT(S): The DAZL-specific primers yield a 128 bp product in ejaculate. A protein of approximately 33.5 kDa was detected by Western blot analysis. Immunofluorescence staining showed strong homogeneous staining in the midpiece of spermatozoa and weak staining in the principal piece. A speckled-type distribution was found in the head region. CONCLUSION(S): The DAZL transcript and protein are present in human spermatozoa. The roles of DAZL protein in sperm motility and in the sperm-oocyte interaction await further investigation.