Molecular changes in the human zona pellucida associated with fertilization and human sperm-zona interactions

Moonlighting proteins in sperm-egg interactions

Sperm-egg interaction is a highly species-specific step during the fertilization process. The first steps consist of recognition between proteins on the sperm head and zona pellucida (ZP) glycoproteins, the acellular coat that protects the oocyte. We aimed to determine which sperm head proteins interact with ZP2, ZP3 and ZP4 in humans. Two approaches were combined to identify these proteins: immunoblotting human spermatozoa targeted by antisperm antibodies (ASAs) from infertile men and far-Western blotting of human sperm proteins overlaid by each of the human recombinant ZP (hrZP) proteins. We used a proteomic approach with 2D electrophoretic separation of sperm protein revealed using either ASAs eluted from infertile patients or recombinant human ZP glycoproteins expressed in Chinese-hamster ovary (CHO) cells. Only spots highlighted by both methods were analysed by MALDI-MS/MS for identification. We identified proteins already described in human spermatozoa, but implicated in different metabolic pathways such as glycolytic enzymes [phosphokinase type 3 (PK3), enolase 1 (ENO1), glyceraldehyde-3-phosphate dehydrogenase (GAPDH), aldolase A (ALDOA) and triose phosphate isomerase (TPI)], detoxification enzymes [GST Mu (GSTM) and phospholipid hydroperoxide glutathione peroxidase (PHGPx) 4], ion channels [voltage-dependent anion channel 2 (VDAC2)] or structural proteins (outer dense fibre 2). Several proteins were localized on the sperm head by indirect immunofluorescence, and their interaction with ZP proteins was confirmed by co-precipitation experiments. These results confirm the complexity of the sperm-ZP recognition process in humans with the implication of different proteins interacting with the main three ZP glycoproteins. The multiple roles of these proteins suggest that they are multifaceted or moonlighting proteins.

Use of failed-fertilized oocytes for diagnostic zona binding purposes after sperm binding improvement with a modified medium

PURPOSE

Because the availability of prophase oocytes for zona binding testing is limited, we compared sperm binding to the zona of failed-fertilized intracytoplasmic sperm injection (ICSI) and in vitro fertilization (IVF) oocytes after incubation in a standard IVF medium and a specially composed binding improvement medium.

METHODS

Semen samples from nine patients and nine fertile donors were separated in parallel by the standard swim-up method in both media. Subsequently, hemizona assays were performed with prophase, failed-fertilized ICSI and IVF oocytes.

RESULTS

Sperm separation resulted in a significantly higher sperm count (P < 0.01) and progressive motility (P = 0.018) in binding improvement medium. Moreover, spermatozoa coincubated with hemizonae (prophase, failed-fertilized ICSI and IVF oocytes) in binding improvement medium bound significantly more to hemizonae than in the controls (P < 0.01). However, the hemizona index did not differ.

CONCLUSIONS

Thus, the limited number of human zonae can be increased by the use of oocytes that failed to fertilize during ICSI or IVF. This will lead to a qualitative improvement of the diagnostic spectrum in male-factor infertility.

Sperm-associated and circulating IgA and IgG classes of antibodies recognise different antigens on the human sperm plasma membrane

IgA and IgG antibodies eluted from the surface of spermatozoa obtained from 11 infertile men were used to analyse the antigens defined by each class of sperm-associated antibodies. An enhanced chemiluminescent Western blot technique was developed to detect the low concentrations of immunoglobulins present in the eluted samples. The same analysis was performed with the sperm membrane-specific antibodies isolated from the sera of 8 of the patients included in the study. Sperm-eluted antibodies reacted with a total of 18 protein bands migrating with molecular masses of between 110 and 18 kDa. Individual antibody-binding patterns differed. Furthermore, IgA and IgG antibodies from any one patient recognised different sets of antigens. In spite of the apparent heterogeneity of the antigens defined by sperm-associated antibodies, the majority of these antibodies reacted with three protein zones of 68/64, 37/36 and 20/18 kDa. The antigens defined by the sperm surface-specific antibodies obtained from the sera of eight infertile patients differed from one patient to another and, in the majority of the patients, differed from those defined by the corresponding sperm-associated antibodies. Nevertheless, two protein zones of 68/64 and 20/18 kDa were recognised by both local and systemic antibodies in 6 and 4 patients, respectively.

Electron microscopic study of human sperm membrane isolation

OBJECT

Our purpose was to isolated pure, homogeneous human sperm membranes, free of cellular contaminants.

METHODS

Donor semen samples collected after masturbation were stored at -70 degrees C and eventually pooled. Each attempt at sperm membrane isolation required 800 x 10(6) spermatozoa which were sonicated by ultrasound (40% output; Vibra Cell). The effect of sonication time (3 x 5, 3 x 15, and 180 sec) on membrane isolation was investigated. Sonicated samples were centrifuged (500 g, 5 min) and the supernatant was pipetted off. The supernatant of the centrifuged sample was layered on either a sucrose cushion (supernatant on 1.6 M sucrose) or a discontinuous sucrose gradient and centrifuged (100,000 g, 1 hr). Contents of supernatants of sonicated samples and fractions (sucrose interfaces) were then fixed in 1.0% tannic acid and 2.5% buffered glutaraldehyde and examined electron microscopically using standard procedures.

RESULTS

(1) The optimal sonification time was found to be 3 x 15 sec. (2) Membrane isolation using a sucrose cushion was found to be inadequate, showing significant cellular contamination. (3) Sperm membrane isolation from the sucrose interface between 0.75 and 1.05 M sucrose was found to be most effective.

CONCLUSION

The advantage of this method is its simplicity. The drawback of this method is the large number of spermatozoa required for membrane purification.

Human zona pellucida during in vitro fertilization: an ultrastructural study using saponin, ruthenium red, and osmium-thiocarbohydrazide

The human zona pellucida (ZP) and its changes during in vitro fertilization in oocytes at different maturational stages and polypronuclear ova at one- to four-cells stages were studied by transmission electron microscopy (TEM) and correlative scanning electron microscopy (SEM). To define the microstructure of the ZP, its amorphous masking material was removed using a detergent (saponin), and its structural glycoproteins were stabilized with a cationic dye, ruthenium red, followed by osmium-thiocarbohydrazide treatment. These methods allowed in all samples the clear visualization of variously arranged networks of filaments composing the outer and inner surfaces of the ZP. These filaments were straight or curved, 0.1-0.4 microns in length and 10-14 nm thick as seen via TEM or 22-28 nm thick as seen via SEM (the difference in thickness was due to the presence of the metal coating for SEM). The filament arrangement was remarkably different between the inner and outer surfaces of the ZP and among the various stages studied. The filaments of the outer surface of the ZP were basically arranged in "large" and "tight" meshed networks. Mature oocytes and fertilized (polypronuclear) ova had a regular alternating pattern of wide and tight meshed networks of filaments. On the other hand, immature and atretic oocytes displayed almost exclusively a tight meshed network of filaments. The inner surface filaments of the ZP of unfertilized oocytes at any stage were arranged in repetitive structures characterized by numerous short and straight filaments anastomosing with each other and sometimes forming at the intersections small, rounded structures. After fertilization, the inner surface of the ZP displayed numerous areas where filaments fused together. Collectively, these data clearly reveal that oocyte maturation and fertilization in humans are accompanied by changes of ZP filaments arrangement, which may be relevant in the processes of binding, penetration, and selection of spermatozoa.