Epididymal α-l-fucosidase and its possible role in remodelling the surface of bull spermatozoa.

The mammalian epididymis provides an appropriate environment for sperm maturation. During the epididymal transit, spermatozoa undergo biochemical and morphological changes that lead to the acquisition of the fertilizing capacity. In this study we analysed the fucosylation status of membrane glycoproteins in the spermatozoa obtained from different regions of the bull epididymis. High amounts of fucose were detected on caput spermatozoa (R.F.I. = 1010 ± 20.35), mostly located in the post-acrosome zone. A significant decrease in the fucose levels was detected toward the cauda (R.F.I. = 540.5 ± 49.93) (P < 0.05). This decrease was in line with the increased activity of α-l-fucosidase in the cauda fluid. In sperm from the cauda, the defucosylation occurred in some proteins, whereas others showed higher fucosylation rates. A significant decrease of fucose in the gametes was observed upon incubation of crude cauda fluid with caput spermatozoa (from R.F.I. = 1.45 ± 0.08 to 1.06 ± 0.03) (P < 0.05) indicating that the α-l-fucosidase present in the epididymal fluid is active on spermatozoa. Moreover, this effect was blocked with specific enzyme inhibitors. These results provide direct evidence that the α-l-fucosidase from epididymal fluid participates in the fucose removal from spermatozoa, as a step of sperm maturation in the bull epididymis.

Glycosidases Interact Selectively With Mannose-6-Phosphate Receptors of Bull Spermatozoa.

Glycosidases may play a role in sperm maturation during epididymal transit. In this work, we describe the interaction of these enzymes with bull spermatozoa. We found that ß-galactosidase associated to spermatozoa can be released under low ionic strength conditions, whereas the interaction of N-acetyl-ß-D-glucosaminidase and ß-glucuronidase with spermatozoa appeared to be stronger. On the other hand, α-mannosidase and α-fucosidase cannot be removed from the gametes. In addition, part of N-acetyl-ß-D-glucosaminidase, ß-galactosidase, and ß-glucuronidase can also be released by mannose-6-phosphate. Taking into account these data, we explored the presence of cation-independent- and cation-dependent-mannose-6-phosphate receptors in the spermatozoa and found that cation-independent mannose-6-phosphate receptor is highly expressed in bull spermatozoa and cation-dependent-mannose-6-phosphate receptor is expressed at a lesser extent. In addition, by immunofluorescence, we observed that cation-independent-mannose-6-phosphate receptor is mostly located at the acrosomal zone, whereas cation-dependent-mannose-6-phosphate receptor presents a different distribution pattern on spermatozoa during the epididymal transit. N-acetyl-ß-D-glucosaminidase and ß-glucuronidase isolated from epididymal fluid interacted mostly with cation-independent-mannose-6-phosphate receptor, while ß-galactosidase was recognized by both receptors. We concluded that glycosidases might play different roles in bull spermatozoa and that mannos-6-phosphate receptors may act as recruiters of some enzymes. J. Cell. Biochem. 117: 2464-2472, 2016. © 2016 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.

Changes in lysosomal enzymes and mannose-6-phosphate receptors related to sexual maturation in bull epididymis.

One of the most striking features of the mammalian epididymis is the secretion of lysosomal enzymes (LE). These LE may play a role in sperm maturation. In the present study we investigated the activity and distribution of four LE (?-galactosidase (?-Gal), N-acetyl-?-D-glucosaminidase (?-NAG), ?-mannosidase (?-Man) and ?-glucuronidase (?-Glu)) in bull epididymis at two different ages (6 months and 4 years) to determine whether these enzymes vary with sexual maturity. In young, sexually immature (SI) bulls we found high LE activity in the epididymal tissue that accounts for a developed and active lysosomal apparatus. In contrast, low LE activity was measured in sexually mature (SM) bulls, and ?-NAG and ?-Gal were mostly secreted into the lumen. We also attempted to correlate LE distribution with the expression and functionality of mannose-6-phosphate receptors (MPRs), which are thought to be involved in proper delivery of LE to lysosomes. The cation-dependent MPR was highly expressed in SI bulls, with expression decreasing during adulthood, whereas the expression of the cation-independent MPR was higher in SM than SI bulls. In addition, the four enzymes recovered from the epididymal lumen interact with both MPRs at each age. We conclude that the activity and distribution of LE in bull epididymis varies with sexual maturity and that the distribution is regulated differently by the two types of MPR. These findings could provide some molecular basis for male infertility.