Changes in WGA-lectin binding sites on sperm during epididymal transit in the Chacma baboon (Papio ursinus) and the vervet monkey (Cercopithecus aethiops). 1996

M H Fourie, and D Du Toit, and M S Bornman, and E Viljoen
Department of Urology, Centre for Fertility Studies, University of Pretoria, and the HF Verwoerd Hospital, Republic of South Africa.

Epididymal maturation of sperm entails molecular changes to the sperm plasma membrane. These changes are reflected by changes in lectin binding. The wheat germ agglutinin (WGA) lectin was used, since it binds to acetylglucosamine and sialic acid, which are involved in sperm function. The objective was to study changes in WGA-lectin binding during epididymal passage and in the ejaculate of the Chacma baboon and vervet monkey. The intensity and location of lectin binding on sperm from the ejaculate and the caput, corpus, and cauda epididymidis of 5 adult males from each species were studied. In both baboon and monkey sperm, the acrosomal region had the highest intensity stain and the equatorial region had the lowest intensity. Significant differences in staining of the different regions of sperm were found for the different epididymal sites and the ejaculate of both species. It was concluded that changes in the molecular composition of the sperm membrane, taking place during epididymal maturation, can at least in part be monitored by studying WGA-lectin binding on sperm. The changes noted are probably important for the organization of a membrane of the correct molecular conformation and mandatory for complete sperm function.

UI MeSH Term Description Entries
D008297 Male Males
D010215 Papio A genus of the subfamily CERCOPITHECINAE, family CERCOPITHECIDAE, consisting of five named species: PAPIO URSINUS (chacma baboon), PAPIO CYNOCEPHALUS (yellow baboon), PAPIO PAPIO (western baboon), PAPIO ANUBIS (or olive baboon), and PAPIO HAMADRYAS (hamadryas baboon). Members of the Papio genus inhabit open woodland, savannahs, grassland, and rocky hill country. Some authors consider MANDRILLUS a subgenus of Papio. Baboons,Baboons, Savanna,Savanna Baboons,Baboon,Baboon, Savanna,Papios,Savanna Baboon
D002462 Cell Membrane The lipid- and protein-containing, selectively permeable membrane that surrounds the cytoplasm in prokaryotic and eukaryotic cells. Plasma Membrane,Cytoplasmic Membrane,Cell Membranes,Cytoplasmic Membranes,Membrane, Cell,Membrane, Cytoplasmic,Membrane, Plasma,Membranes, Cell,Membranes, Cytoplasmic,Membranes, Plasma,Plasma Membranes
D002522 Chlorocebus aethiops A species of CERCOPITHECUS containing three subspecies: C. tantalus, C. pygerythrus, and C. sabeus. They are found in the forests and savannah of Africa. The African green monkey is the natural host of SIMIAN IMMUNODEFICIENCY VIRUS and is used in AIDS research. African Green Monkey,Cercopithecus aethiops,Cercopithecus griseoviridis,Cercopithecus griseus,Cercopithecus pygerythrus,Cercopithecus sabeus,Cercopithecus tantalus,Chlorocebus cynosuros,Chlorocebus cynosurus,Chlorocebus pygerythrus,Green Monkey,Grivet Monkey,Lasiopyga weidholzi,Malbrouck,Malbrouck Monkey,Monkey, African Green,Monkey, Green,Monkey, Grivet,Monkey, Vervet,Savanah Monkey,Vervet Monkey,Savannah Monkey,African Green Monkey,Chlorocebus cynosuro,Green Monkey, African,Green Monkeys,Grivet Monkeys,Malbrouck Monkeys,Malbroucks,Monkey, Malbrouck,Monkey, Savanah,Monkey, Savannah,Savannah Monkeys,Vervet Monkeys
D004822 Epididymis The convoluted cordlike structure attached to the posterior of the TESTIS. Epididymis consists of the head (caput), the body (corpus), and the tail (cauda). A network of ducts leaving the testis joins into a common epididymal tubule proper which provides the transport, storage, and maturation of SPERMATOZOA.
D000818 Animals Unicellular or multicellular, heterotrophic organisms, that have sensation and the power of voluntary movement. Under the older five kingdom paradigm, Animalia was one of the kingdoms. Under the modern three domain model, Animalia represents one of the many groups in the domain EUKARYOTA. Animal,Metazoa,Animalia
D001665 Binding Sites The parts of a macromolecule that directly participate in its specific combination with another molecule. Combining Site,Binding Site,Combining Sites,Site, Binding,Site, Combining,Sites, Binding,Sites, Combining
D014909 Wheat Germ Agglutinins Lectins purified from the germinating seeds of common wheat (Triticum vulgare); these bind to certain carbohydrate moieties on cell surface glycoproteins and are used to identify certain cell populations and inhibit or promote some immunological or physiological activities. There are at least two isoforms of this lectin. Agglutinins, Wheat Germ,Lectins, Triticum Vulgare,Lectins, Wheat Germ,Triticum Vulgare Lectin,Triticum Vulgare Lectins,Wheat Germ Agglutinin,Wheat Germ Lectin,Wheat Germ Lectins,Wheat Germ Agglutinin Isolectin 1,Wheat Germ Agglutinin Isolectin 2,Agglutinin, Wheat Germ,Germ Agglutinin, Wheat,Germ Lectin, Wheat,Lectin, Triticum Vulgare,Lectin, Wheat Germ,Vulgare Lectin, Triticum

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