FE-SEM Characterization of α-Mannose Density and Surface Mapping Changes in Human Sperm Head During In Vitro Capacitation
- 30 October 2020
- journal article
- research article
- Published by Oxford University Press (OUP) in Microscopy and Microanalysis
- Vol. 26 (6), 1220-1225
- https://doi.org/10.1017/s1431927620024630
Abstract
Sperm capacitation includes the reorganization of plasma membrane components and the outstanding modification of the glycocalyx. The α-mannose presence and location during in vitro capacitation have been commonly described in human spermatozoa using Concanavalin A (Con A) lectin. However, it is still unclear to date how in vitro capacitation time affects the α-mannose residues and their topographic spatial distribution on sperm membrane. Here, we characterized the α-mannose density and specific membrane domain locations before and after in vitro capacitation (1–4 h) using high-resolution field emission scanning electron microscopy (FE-SEM). Results showed that α-mannose residues were present preferably on the acrosome domains for all physiological conditions. Uncapacitated sperm comparatively exhibits significant highest labeling densities of α-mannose residues. In addition, as in vitro capacitation takes place, significant and progressive decreasing of sugar residues was combined with their relocation mostly affecting acrosomal domain apical areas. Our findings reveal that combined approach using FE-SEM and gold nanoparticle topographical mapping offers new human sperm biomolecular and structural details during capacitation events.This publication has 33 references indexed in Scilit:
- Human sperm bind to the N-terminal domain of ZP2 in humanized zonae pellucidae in transgenic miceThe Journal of cell biology, 2012
- Mammalian zona pellucida glycoproteins: structure and function during fertilizationCell and tissue research, 2012
- Reorganization of Lipid Rafts During Capacitation of Human Sperm1Biology of Reproduction, 2004
- Lectin histochemistry during in vitro capacitation and acrosome reaction in boar spermatozoa: new lectins for evaluating acrosomal status of boar spermatozoaActa Histochemica, 1996
- Human Sperm Surface Mapping with LectinsCells Tissues Organs, 1992
- Glycoconjugates of the human sperm surface: Distribution and alterations that accompany capacitation in vitroGamete Research, 1987
- Interactions of concanavalin a with a trimannosyl oligosaccharide fragment of complex and high mannose type glycopeptidesBiochemical and Biophysical Research Communications, 1985
- Differences in Concanavalin A-FITC Binding to Rat Spermatozoa During Epididymal Maturation and CapacitationArchives of Andrology, 1979
- Cell surface changes associated with in Vitro capacitation of hamster spermJournal of Ultrastructure Research, 1978
- Electron microscope assessment of fertilization of rabbit ova treated with Concanavalin A and Wheat Germ AgglutininJournal of Experimental Zoology, 1976