Maturation-related changes in distribution of lectin receptors in baboon (Papio anubis) spermatozoa during epididymal maturation.

Abstract

Changes in distribution of surface glycoproteins in baboon sperm were studied by lectin blotting techniques. In baboon, several changes in sperm surface occur during epididymal passage. These changes include increased staining of band that was observed with the WGA binding glycoproteins of 140, 80, 52, and 46 kDa; Con A bands of 66, 37, and 26 kDa; and the PNA binding glycoprotein of 114 kDa. A second change was the loss of preexisting band that was observed with RCA binding glycoproteins of 120, 80, 58, 53, 46, and 37 kDa; and the Con A band of 80 kDa. A final change was noted with Con A binding in which six bands of 8, 9, 12, 14, 18, and 21 kDa were added as the sperm matured through the cauda epididymis. These findings present new information on the changes in distribution of surface glycoproteins in baboon sperm during epididymal passage. There was some reorganization of the molecular structure of the sperm during epididymal maturation.