Reproductive Biology: Enhancing Sperm Vitality

Hybrid polymers containing both antioxidant and targeting elements were designed by Benjamin Davis and colleagues to seek out the surface of mammalian sperm cells. This cell-surface interaction is mediated by a carbohydrate-binding protein that specifically recognizes galactose, a monosaccharide sugar. When the galactose-containing polymer binds to the surface of the sperm-cell, it is transported across the cell membrane, whereupon the antioxidant vitamin E is released. Treated cells had lower oxidative damage, resulting in enhanced lifespan and physiological properties. Using a fluorescence-labeled polymer, the authors were able to visualize sperm cell internalization of galactose-containing polymers. On the other hand, a galactose-free polymer was not internalized, demonstrating that polymer internalization depends on the galactose interaction with the sperm cell surface.

This work provides a viable approach for enhancing the vitality of porcine sperm. Its further application could potentially enhance fertilization rates in other mammals and provide a useful means to discover new carbohydrate-protein interactions.

Author contact:

Benjamin G. Davis (University of Oxford, UK)
E-mail: Ben.Davis@chem.ox.ac.uk

Additional contact for comment on paper:

Eilish Donnelly (Queen's University Belfast, Northern Ireland, UK)
E-mail: e.donnelly@qub.ac.uk

For abstract, click here.

(C) Nature Chemical Biology press release.

Message posted by: Trevor M. D'Souza