Terminal Mannose Residues in Seminal Plasma Glycoproteins of Infertile Men Compared to Fertile Donors

International Journal of Molecular Sciences

Beata Olejnik¹  Anna Jarzၛ²  Ewa M. Kratz¹  Mariusz Zimmer³  Andrzej Gamian²  Mirosᐪwa Ferens-Sieczkowska¹ 

[1] Department of Chemistry and Immunochemistry, Wrocław Medical University, Bujwida 44A, 50-345 Wrocław, Poland; E-Mails:;Institute of Immunology and Experimental Therapy, Polish Academy of Science, Rudolfa Weigla 12, 53-114 Wrocław, Poland; E-Mail:;2nd Department and Clinic of Gynaecology, Obstetrics and Neonatology, Wrocław Medical University, Borowska 213, 50-556 Wrocław, Poland; E-Mail:

关键词: fertility marker;    glycosylation;    male infertility;    high-mannose type glycans;    seminal plasma;   

DOI  :  10.3390/ijms160714933

来源: mdpi

【 摘 要 】

The impact of seminal plasma components on the fertilization outcomes in humans is still under question. The increasing number of couples facing problems with conception raises the need for predictive biomarkers. Detailed understanding of the molecular mechanisms accompanying fertilization remains another challenge. Carbohydrate–protein recognition may be of key importance in this complex field. In this study, we analyzed the unique glycosylation pattern of seminal plasma proteins, the display of high-mannose and hybrid-type oligosaccharides, by means of their reactivity with mannose-specific Galanthus nivalis lectin. Normozoospermic infertile subjects presented decreased amounts of lectin-reactive glycoepitopes compared to fertile donors and infertile patients with abnormal semen parameters. Glycoproteins containing unveiled mannose were isolated in affinity chromatography, and 17 glycoproteins were identified in liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry with electrospray ionization. The N-glycome of the isolated glycoproteins was examined in matrix-assisted laser desorption ionization mass spectrometry. Eleven out of 27 identified oligosaccharides expressed terminal mannose residues, responsible for lectin binding. We suggest that lowered content of high-mannose and hybrid type glycans in normozoospermic infertile patients may be associated with impaired sperm protection from preterm capacitation and should be considered in the search for new infertility markers.

【 授权许可】

CC BY   
© 2015 by the authors; licensee MDPI, Basel, Switzerland.