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Acrosin and the acrosome in human spermatogenesis

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Summary

Using the indirect immunofluorescent staining technique, the developmental patterns of (pro)acrosin and the outer acrosomal membrane were studied in human spermatogenesis. Specific antibodies against purified acrosin and outer acrosomal membranes from boar spermatozoa were raised in the rabbit and were found to crossreact with (pro)acrosin and outer acrosomal membrane from human spermatogenic cells. It was concluded that (pro)acrosin as well as the molecules building up the outer acrosomal membrane have been highly conserved during mammalian evolution. In the course of human spermatogenesis (pro)acrosin as well as the outer acrosomal membrane first appear in the haploid spermatids; the fluorescent areas of the individual cells steadily increase during spermiogenesis. Staining for acrosin and the outer acrosomal membrane, respectively, was found in identical compartments of the spermatogenic cells in juxtaposition to the nucleus. Round-headed spermatozoa from an infertile patient did not stain for (pro)acrosin or outer acrosomal membrane. The lack of the acrosin system was further substantiated by the gelatin substrate film technique demonstrating the absence of a gelatinolytic protease in round-headed spermatozoa. Hence, round-headed spermatozoa lack the acrosome with its constituent membrane proteins and the acrosin system housed by the acrosome of normal spermatozoa.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Institute of Human Genetics, University of Göttingen, Nikolausberger Weg 5a, D-3400, Göttingen, Federal Republic of Germany

    Sibylle Flörke-Gerloff & W. Engel

  2. Department of Dermatology, Andrology Unit, University of Munich, Frauenlobstr. 9-11, D-8000, München 2, Federal Republic of Germany

    Edda Töpfer-Petersen & W. -B. Schill

  3. Department of Clinical Chemistry and Clinical Biochemistry, University of Munich, Nußbaumstr. 20, D-8000, München 2, Federal Republic of Germany

    W. Müller-Esterl

Authors
  1. Sibylle Flörke-Gerloff
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  2. Edda Töpfer-Petersen
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  3. W. Müller-Esterl
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  4. W. -B. Schill
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  5. W. Engel
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Dedicated to Professor Dr. P. E. Becker on the occasion of his 75th birthday

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Flörke-Gerloff, S., Töpfer-Petersen, E., Müller-Esterl, W. et al. Acrosin and the acrosome in human spermatogenesis. Hum Genet 65, 61–67 (1983). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF00285030

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/BF00285030

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