科研之友
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摘要
Although motility characteristics and antioxidant capacity of ejaculated spermatozoa have been shown to be modulated by the pineal hormone melatonin, the availability and the localization of specific receptors remain unresolved The present study aimed to demonstrate the expression and localization of the membrane melatonin receptor type 1 (MT1) in human spermatozoa. Gametes isolated from normozoospermic ejaculates of healthy men were examined by immune fluorescence using specific Mel-1A-R antibody. Intense specific signal analyzed by means of confocal microscopy was observed in the equatorial zone, but also in the neck and mid-piece of gradient-purified spermatozoa. Comparative analysis of the transcription of MTNR1A gene encoding the receptor protein was performed in semen samples of different donors using two-step quantitative real time reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction. To study the effect of seminal plasma on receptor expression, specimens of one and same donor were employed with manipulated content of seminal fluid. Relative quantification of MTNR1A gene transcription revealed individual variations between donors, while presence of seminal fluid did not influence the expression level in samples from the same donor.
Our results demonstrate in-situ that MT1 membrane melatonin receptor is present and the corresponding MTNR1A gene is expressed in human ejaculated spermatozoa. The observed localization suggests receptor-mediated role of melatonin on sperm cellular movements.
- 出版日期2012
