Iwona K?tnik-Prastowska, Ewa M. Kratz, Ricardo Faundez, Anna Che?mo?ska-Soyta
Lower expression of the ?2,3-sialylated fibronectin glycoform and appearance of the asialo-fibronectin glycoform are associated with high concentrations of fibronectin in human seminal plasma with abnormal semen parameters
Background: Sialic acid isoforms expressed on glycoconjugates are known to be involved in different biological functions. The aim of this study was to compare ?2,3- and/or ?2,6-linked sialic acid expression on fibronectin in the seminal plasma of male partners from infertile couples. The data obtained were analyzed in relation to normal and abnormal semen parameters, as well as to fibronectin concentrations.
Methods: Fibronectin concentrations were determined by ELISA using a specific monoclonal antibody. The relative degree of sialic acid linked to fibronectin glycans either by ?2,3 or ?2,6 isomeric linkage was estimated by lectin-fibronectin ELISA utilizing lectins from Maackia amurensis and Sambucus nigra, respectively.
Results: High seminal fibronectin concentration was more frequently associated with abnormal semen parameters. The glycans of seminal plasma fibronectin, in contrast to blood plasma fibronectin, contained sialic acid more frequently attached by ?2,3 than by ?2,6 isomeric linkage. The relative amounts of both ?2,3- and ?2,6-linked sialic acid fibronectin isoforms were lower in the seminal plasma of men suspected of infertility.
Conclusions: Seminal fibronectin showed an oncofetal type of sialylation and the distribution of hypo- and asialylated fibronectin glycoforms were associated with abnormal semen parameters and with high concentrations of fibronectin.
Clin Chem Lab Med 2006;44:1119–25.
Clinical Chemical Laboratory Medicine, Walter de Gruyter
Print ISSN: 1434-6621
Volume: 44, 09/2006
Pages: 1119 - 1125
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