Roles of glycodelin in modulating sperm function

Mol Cell Endocrinol. 2006 May 16;250(1-2):149-56. doi: 10.1016/j.mce.2005.12.038. Epub 2006 Jan 18.

Abstract

Glycodelin is a glycoprotein with three well-defined isoforms. They are named as glycodelin-S, glycodelin-A and glycodelin-F. The three isoforms have similar protein core but different carbohydrate moieties. Glycodelin-S is abundant in the human seminal plasma. It suppresses sperm capacitation and in doing so, it maintains the spermatozoa in an uncapacitated state before they enter into the uterine cavity. Glycodelin-A is abundant in the amniotic fluid. It is also secreted from endometrial glands into uterine fluid and is produced by the fallopian tube. Glycodelin-A is the first endogenous glycoprotein that was found to inhibit the binding of spermatozoa to the zona pellucida. The immunosuppressive properties of glycodelin-A suggest that the molecule may protect the spermatozoa from immune attack in the maternal reproductive tract. Glycodelin-F was first found in the follicular fluid, hence its name. It also inhibits spermatozoa-zona pellucida binding. In addition, glycodelin-F suppresses progesterone-induced acrosome reaction, and may serve to prevent premature acrosome reaction. Preliminary findings suggest possible presence of yet another glycodelin isoform in the extracellular matrix of cumulus oophorus. Unlike glycodelin-A and -F, it stimulates spermatozoa-zona pellucida binding. In summary, different isoforms of glycodelin have different biological roles on sperm function, and they act in succession to contribute to the success of fertilization.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't
  • Review

MeSH terms

  • Female
  • Genitalia, Female / physiology
  • Glycodelin
  • Glycoproteins / genetics
  • Glycoproteins / physiology*
  • Humans
  • Male
  • Pregnancy Proteins / genetics
  • Pregnancy Proteins / physiology*
  • Protein Isoforms / genetics
  • Protein Isoforms / physiology
  • Sperm Capacitation*
  • Spermatozoa / physiology*

Substances

  • Glycodelin
  • Glycoproteins
  • PAEP protein, human
  • Pregnancy Proteins
  • Protein Isoforms