Erythropoietin receptor-like immunostaining on human spermatozoa

Tug N., Kilic U., Karateke A., Yilmaz B., Ugur M., Kilic E.

Reproductive BioMedicine Online, vol.21, no.5, pp.718-720, 2010 (SCI-Expanded) identifier identifier identifier

  • Publication Type: Article / Article
  • Volume: 21 Issue: 5
  • Publication Date: 2010
  • Doi Number: 10.1016/j.rbmo.2010.05.022
  • Journal Name: Reproductive BioMedicine Online
  • Journal Indexes: Science Citation Index Expanded (SCI-EXPANDED), Scopus
  • Page Numbers: pp.718-720
  • Keywords: EPO, EPO-receptor, receptor, spermatozoa
  • Dokuz Eylül University Affiliated: No

Abstract

This study aimed to demonstrate the presence of erythropoietin (EPO) receptor on spermatozoa. Whole ejaculates of four healthy volunteers were incubated with polyclonal rabbit anti-EPO receptor and subsequently stained with a Cy-3 labelled secondary antibody. Four slides per subject were analysed, no staining was observed in slides incubated with either primary or secondary antibody alone. EPO receptor staining was positive in 92 ± 8% of EPO pre-treated and 91 ± 4% of non-treated sperm cells. The results suggest that spermatozoa express EPO receptor on plasma membrane, which might act to protect these cells from damage after ejaculation. © 2010, Reproductive Healthcare Ltd. Published by Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.