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Ultrastructural localization of glycodelin oligosaccharides Le‐x and Le‐y in human seminal vesicles by immunogold staining
Author(s) -
Piludu M.,
Cossu M.,
De Lisa A.,
Piras M.,
Lantini M. S.
Publication year - 2007
Publication title -
journal of anatomy
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.932
H-Index - 118
eISSN - 1469-7580
pISSN - 0021-8782
DOI - 10.1111/j.1469-7580.2007.00690.x
Subject(s) - immunogold labelling , ultrastructure , staining , vesicle , chemistry , microbiology and biotechnology , biology , anatomy , pathology , biochemistry , medicine , membrane
Histo‐blood group antigens Le‐x and Le‐y are oligosaccharidic terminals that characterize many glycoproteins in the human tissues. In seminal plasma, they are expressed as part of the so‐called glycodelin S, which is suggested to regulate sperm capacitation/decapacitation. It has recently been demonstrated that the core protein of glycodelin S is secreted by seminal vesicles. Here we show that epithelial cells of human seminal vesicles also release the Le‐x and Le‐y antigens. The presence of these substances in secretory material was revealed by means of an immunogold staining method in normal surgical samples. The results suggest that glycodelin S is secreted by seminal vesicles in its finished glycosylated form. Moreover, antigen reactivity was also revealed associated with plasma membranes.