Effects of hepatitis B virus S protein on human sperm function

Authors: Zhou, Xiao-Ling; Sun, Ping-Nan; Huang, Tian-Hua; Xie, Qing-Dong; Kang, Xiang-Jin; Liu, Li-Min

Source: Human Reproduction, Volume 24, Number 7, 11 July 2009 , pp. 1575-1583(9)

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Abstract:

BACKGROUND

Hepatitis B virus (HBV) has been determined to exist in semen and male germ cells from patients with chronic HBV infection, but no data are yet available on the impact of HBV S protein (HBs), the main component of HBV envelop protein, on the human reproductive system. The purpose of this article was to investigate the effect of HBs on human sperm function.

METHODS

Sperm motility analyses, sperm penetration assays, mitochondrial membrane potential assays, immunolocalizations with confocal microscopy and flow cytometry analyses were performed.

RESULTS

HBs reduced sperm motility in a dose- and time-dependent manner and caused the loss of sperm mitochondrial membrane potential. HBsHBs monoclonal antibody (MAb) complex apparently aggravated such impairments. After 4 h incubation with HBs at concentrations of 25, 50, 100 g/ml, the percentages of sperm motility ab significantly decreased compared with the control (P < 0.01). The fertilization rate and the fertilizing index in HBs-treated group were 40 and 0.57, respectively, which were significantly lower than 90 and 1.6, respectively, in the control (P < 0.01). The asialoglycoprotein receptor (ASGP-R) and HBs were found to localize mainly on the postacrosomal region. Both ASGP-R MAb and asialofoetuin, a high-affinity ligand of ASGP-R, inhibited the HBs-caused loss of sperm motility and mitochondrial membrane potential.

CONCLUSIONS

HBs had adverse effects on human sperm function, and ASGP-R may play a role in the uptake of HBs into sperm cells, as demonstrated by the competitive inhibition of ASGP-R MAb or asialofoetuin, resulting in diminished impairment caused by HBs.

Keywords: asialoglycoprotein receptor; fertilizing ability; HBs protein; mitochondrial membrane potential; sperm motility

Document Type: Research article

DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.1093/humrep/dep050

Publication date: 2009-07-11

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Human Reproduction features full-length, peer-reviewed papers reporting original research, clinical case histories, as well as opinions and debates on topical issues. Papers published cover the scientific and medical aspects of reproductive physiology and pathology, endocrinology, andrology, gonad function, gametogenesis, fertilization, embryo development, implantation, pregnancy, genetics, genetic diagnosis, oncology, infectious disease, surgery, contraception, infertility treatment, psychology, ethics and social issues. The highest scientific and editorial standard is maintained throughout the journal along with a rapid rate of publication.

Effects of hepatitis B virus S protein on human sperm function

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