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Although Lewis X (LeX) and Lewis Y (LeY) antigens were thought to play important roles in fertility, fucosyltransferase (Fut)-deficient (Fut1, Fut2 and Fut4) mice which lack LeX or LeY antigen are still fertile. In the present study, the Fut-deficient and wild-type mice were used to measure the expression of Fut mRNA along the mouse male reproductive tract and determine the role of each Fut in the biosynthesis of LeX/LeY antigens, which are conjugated to glycoproteins in the male reproductive system. LeX/LeY-containing glycoproteins were detected in the epididymis, vas deferens, seminal vesicle and coagulating gland, but not in the testis. We demonstrate that the synthesis of LeY-containing glycoproteins in the epididymis and vas deferens is catalyzed by Fut1 and Fut4. In the seminal vesicle and the coagulating gland, they are mainly synthesized by Fut2 and an α-(1,3)-Fut, but not Fut4. The synthesis of LeX-containing glycoproteins in the middle caput epididymis is catalyzed by Fut4 and by Fut4 and Fut2 in the seminal vesicle. We provide evidence that LeX is synthesized in the coagulating gland by Fut9. We found that the lack of activity by one Fut does not completely inhibit LeX/LeY antigen expression in the male reproductive tract. This redundancy may help to explain why in vivo studies with Fut-deficient mice do not support the presumption that LeX/LeY antigens play important roles in male fertility. We provide details regarding the phenotypes of established Fut-deficient mice and lay the foundation for elucidating the functions of LeX/LeY antigens in other aspects of the male reproductive system.

Biosynthesis and distribution of Lewis X- and Lewis Y-containing glycoproteins in the murine male reproductive system