Journal of Andrology Testis Workshop 2009
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Published-Ahead-of-Print March 5, 2009, DOI:10.2164/jandrol.108.006551

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High Cholesterol Content and Decreased Membrane Fluidity in Human Spermatozoa are Associated with Protein Tyrosine Phosphorylation and Functional Deficiencies

Mariano G. Buffone , Sandra V. Verstraeten , Juan C. Calamera , and Gustavo F. Doncel *

* To whom correspondence should be addressed. E-mail: doncelgf{at}evms.edu.

Poor-quality sperm show reduced capacity to undergo capacitation-induced protein tyrosine phosphorylation and hyperactivation. Given that these deficiencies can be overcome by membrane-permeant stimulators of the cAMP-dependent kinase system, we hypothesize that the main defect underlying these deficiencies resides on the sperm plasma membrane. Spermatozoa from semen samples obtained from fifteen consenting healthy donors were separated in two subpopulations, L45 (first interface) and L90 (pellet), using a 45:65:90% ISolate gradient-centrifugation method. These sperm fractions were studied before and after a 6h-capacitating incubation for sperm motion parameters (computer-assisted analysis), including hyperactivation, protein tyrosine phosphorylation (immunofluorescence), membrane fluidity (Laurdan fluorescence) and sterol and phospholipid content (high performance thin layer chromatography). In summary, data indicate that L45 (poor motility) spermatozoa present an excess of cholesterol and desmosterol, which impairs the normal increase in membrane fluidity during capacitation and its consequent activation of protein tyrosine phosphorylation and hypermotility. Therefore, a defect in membrane composition and dynamics is underlying human sperm biochemical and functional deficiencies related to inadequate capacitation.


Key words: Infertility • Sperm • hyperactivation • membrane cholesterol • membrane fluidity • tyrosine phosphorylation






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