HE1/NPC2 status in human reproductive tract and ejaculated spermatozoa: consequence of vasectomy | Zendy

Christine Légaré | Zendy; Maha Thabet | Zendy; JeanLuc Gatti | Zendy; Robert Sullivan | Zendy

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HE1/NPC2 status in human reproductive tract and ejaculated spermatozoa: consequence of vasectomy

Author(s) -

Christine Légaré,

Maha Thabet,

JeanLuc Gatti,

Robert Sullivan

Publication year - 2006

Publication title -

molecular human reproduction

Language(s) - English

Resource type - Journals

SCImago Journal Rank - 1.143

H-Index - 122

eISSN - 1460-2407

pISSN - 1360-9947

DOI - 10.1093/molehr/gal050

Subject(s) - vasectomy , epididymis , vasectomy reversal , vas deferens , semen , sperm , biology , andrology , western blot , motility , semen analysis , endocrinology , sperm motility , medicine , population , anatomy , infertility , biochemistry , microbiology and biotechnology , pregnancy , genetics , environmental health , family planning , gene , research methodology

We have previously demonstrated that the amount of HE1/NPC2 mRNA and protein expressed in the human epididymis is decreased under vasectomy. In this study, western blot analyses showed that many vasovasostomized men are characterized by high HE1/NPC2 levels in spermatozoa when compared with fertile donors. HE1/NPC2 association with sperm from vasovasostomized men was not related to low motility per se as spermatozoa from asthenospermic men have HE1/NPC2 levels similar to those in normal fertile semen samples. Spermatozoa from vasovasostomized men with high amount of HE1/NPC2 are characterized by higher concentration of cholesterol and more lipid raft domains. HE1/NPC2 is secreted in different glycoforms by different tissues of human male reproductive tract. These forms are due to variation in N-glycosylation, and only the deglycosylated form is associated with spermatozoa from some vasovasostomized men. Compared with normal men, seminal plasma of vasectomized men is characterized by a major decrease in immunodetectable HE1/NPC2 without change in the glycosylation pattern. Following surgical vasectomy reversal, seminal plasma HE1/NPC2 was found in similar amounts to the ones characterizing normal men. Considering the potential role of HE1/NPC2 in cholesterol transport during sperm maturation, unusual high levels of this protein associated with spermatozoa of vasovasostomized men may reflect epididymal sequelae occurring when the vas deferens is obstructed.

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