alpha-L-fucosidase enhances capacitation-associated events in porcine spermatozoa

作者：Romero Aguirregomezcorta Jon; Matas Carmen; Coy Pilar^*

来源：Veterinary Journal, 2015, 203(1): 109-114.

DOI：10.1016/j.tvjl.2014.11.006

• alpha-L-fucosidase
• Fertilisation
• Gamete biology
• Oviduct
• Spermatozoa
• Porcine

The activity of alpha-L-fucosidase in oviductal fluid increases around the time of ovulation. alpha-L-fucosidase is also associated with the spermatozoal plasma membrane and its substrate, fucose, has been identified in the zona pellucida (ZP) and on the spermatozoal surface, suggesting a role in fertilisation. The aim of the present study was to investigate the role of exogenous alpha-L-fucosidase during fertilisation. Porcine oocytes were incubated with fucosidase and later subjected to in vitro fertilisation (IVF). No effect on the percentage of oocytes fertilised was observed, although there was a slight decrease in spermatozoaZP binding. Fucosidase was then added to IVF medium, and spermatozoa and oocytes were coincubated for 15 min. A significant increase in spermatozoa-ZP binding and penetration was observed, suggesting a role of the enzyme in the fertilisation ability of spermatozoa. In addition, fluorescence intensity and the patterns of spermatozoa membrane-associated alpha-L-fucosidase distribution, as assessed by indirect immunofluorescence, were not affected by the presence or absence of exogenous enzyme, suggesting an independent role for the exogenous and spermatozoa-associated enzymes. Addition of exogenous alpha-L-fucosidase increased the spermatozoal intracellular ionised calcium concentration and tyrosine phosphorylation, suggesting a role in promoting capacitation and, at the same time, protecting spermatozoa from a premature acrosome reaction. Thus, alpha-L-fucosidase enhances capacitation-associated events in porcine spermatozoa.

• 出版日期2015-1