Specific binding of the glycosaminoglycan /sup 3/H-heparin to bull, monkey, and rabbit spermatozoa in vitro

Journal Article · · J. Androl.; (United States)

OSTI ID:6983241

Handrow, R R; Boehm, S K; Lenz, R W; Robinson, J A; Ax, R L

In Vitro binding and some binding parameters of the glycosaminoglycan heparin to viable epididymal or ejaculated bull spermatozoa, ejaculated rabbit spermatozoa, and frozen-thawed rhesus monkey spermatozoa were investigated. Nonspecific binding was affected only by the concentration of /sup 3/H-heparin, whereas specific binding was saturable, reversible, and dependent on the pH, temperature, and calcium concentration of the incubation medium. Magnesium concentration dependence was observed in the presence of calcium but could not be detected in the absence of calcium. Bound /sup 3/H-heparin was displaced by several orders of magnitude greater concentrations of chondroitin sulfate. Scatchard plot analysis suggested multiple binding affinities for /sup 3/H-heparin to spermatozoa. /sup 3/H-heparin was shown to bind to sperm heads and flagella. Fluorescein-labeled heparin bound to acrosomal, postacrosomal, and flagellar membranes. It was concluded that the specific binding of heparin involved a proteinaceous component on, or intercalated with, spermatozoal membranes. Thus, glycosaminoglycans present in the female reproductive tract may contribute to sperm capacitation and enhance the likelihood of successful fertilization in mammals.

• Research Organization: Department of Dairy Science, University of Wisconsin, Madison
• OSTI ID: 6983241
• Journal Information: J. Androl.; (United States), Journal Name: J. Androl.; (United States) Vol. 5:2; ISSN JOAND
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

550201* -- Biochemistry-- Tracer Techniques
550301 -- Cytology-- Tracer Techniques
59 BASIC BIOLOGICAL SCIENCES
AMINES
ANIMALS
ANTICOAGULANTS
BIOCHEMICAL REACTION KINETICS
CARBOHYDRATES
CATTLE
COWS
DOMESTIC ANIMALS
DRUGS
GERM CELLS
HEMATOLOGIC AGENTS
HEPARIN
ISOTOPE APPLICATIONS
KINETICS
LABELLED COMPOUNDS
MAMMALS
MONKEYS
MUCOPOLYSACCHARIDES
ORGANIC COMPOUNDS
ORGANIC SULFUR COMPOUNDS
POLYSACCHARIDES
PRIMATES
RABBITS
REACTION KINETICS
RECEPTORS
RUMINANTS
SACCHARIDES
SPERMATOCYTES
TRACER TECHNIQUES
TRITIUM COMPOUNDS
VERTEBRATES