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Reproductive Biology and Endocrinology
Published in: Reproductive Biology and Endocrinology 1/2006

Open Access 01-12-2006 | Research

Detection of estrogen receptors ER-alpha and ER-beta in human ejaculated immature spermatozoa with excess residual cytoplasm

Authors: Vittoria Rago, Laura Siciliano, Saveria Aquila, Amalia Carpino

Published in: Reproductive Biology and Endocrinology | Issue 1/2006

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Abstract

Background

A key role of estrogens in human sperm biology has been recently suggested by aromatase and estrogen receptor detection in human testicular germ cells and ejaculated spermatozoa. However, the involvement of these hormones in the sperm maturation process is still not defined. The aim of this work was to investigate the expression of estrogen receptors, ER-alpha and ER-beta, in human ejaculated immature spermatozoa with excess residual cytoplasm.

Methods

Immunofluorescence labelling has been used to localize ER-alpha and ER-beta proteins in immature spermatozoa isolated by Percoll gradient, while Western blot analysis was carried out on sperm protein extracts.

Results

Both estrogen receptors were localized in excess residual cytoplasm of immature sperm, while sperm tails showed only ER-beta. Furthermore, in the same cells, immunoblots detected the presence of the full-length (~67 kDa) ER-alpha and (~59 kDa) ER-beta proteins, together with a ~50 kDa ER-beta species, lacking in mature sperm.

Conclusion

The present investigation demonstrated ER-alpha and ER-beta presence in excess residual cytoplasm of human abnormal sperm cells, suggesting the hypothesis that both the 'classical' ERs could be able to mediate estrogen action in spermatogenetic cells. Furthermore, the presence of the short ER-beta form in abnormal germ cells and its disappearance in mature sperm, support estrogen modulation via different ER forms during sperm maturation.
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Metadata
Title
Detection of estrogen receptors ER-alpha and ER-beta in human ejaculated immature spermatozoa with excess residual cytoplasm
Authors
Vittoria Rago
Laura Siciliano
Saveria Aquila
Amalia Carpino
Publication date
01-12-2006
Publisher
BioMed Central
Published in
Reproductive Biology and Endocrinology / Issue 1/2006
Electronic ISSN: 1477-7827
DOI
https://doi.org/10.1186/1477-7827-4-36

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