부산대학교 도서관

In mice, the Binder of Sperm Homolog 1 protein is exclusively expressed in the epididymis. BSP proteins play a role in the membrane modification events that occur during sperm capacitation. In the current study, we investigated the role of mouse recombinant BSP homolog 1 (rec-BSPH1) in sperm-egg interaction. Mouse oocytes were co-incubated with different concentrations of rec-BSPH1 or control proteins and then inseminated with sperm. To establish whether rec-BSPH1 interfered with in vitro fertilization of mouse oocytes, rec-BSPH1 binding to egg and sperm was first tested using an immunodetection assay. In separate experiments, sperm were immuno-neutralized by anti-rec-BSPH1 antibodies to indirectly verify the implication of BSPH1 in sperm-egg interaction and fertilization. The study revealed a dose-dependent inhibition of fertilization when oocytes were pre-incubated with rec-BSPH1. Moreover, sperm immuno-neutralization with anti-rec-BSPH1 antibodies led to dramatic motility changes, followed by compromised fertilization. In view of these results, we conclude that BSPH1 could be a marker of sperm fertility and thus an eventual target for male contraceptive development. • Assumptive binding of rec-BSPH1 to the egg surface would disrupt the binding of native sperm-bound BSPH1 to the egg. • The disarrangement of oocyte membrane raft can affect the fertilization rate. • BSPH proteins may play a synergistic role on BSA-induced cholesterol removal. • Sperm incubated with anti-rec-BSPH1 antibodies had difficulties to fertilize eggs, it might be caused by a change beyond of perturbation in motility. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]