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.
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.
Authors: T F Kruger; R Menkveld; F S Stander; C J Lombard; J P Van der Merwe; J A van Zyl; K Smith Journal: Fertil Steril Date: 1986-12 Impact factor: 7.329