Fucose and Sialic Acid Expressions in Human Seminal Fibronectin and α1-Acid Glycoprotein Associated with Leukocytospermia of Infertile Men

INTRODUCTION The aim of this study was to compare fucose and sialic acid residue expression on fibronectin and α{1}-acid glycoprotein in the seminal plasma of men suspected of infertility and suffering from leukocytospermia. SUBJECTS AND METHODS Seminal ejaculates were collected from 27 leukocytospermic and 18 healthy, normozoospermic men. The relative degree of fucosylation and sialylation of fibronectin and α{1}-acid glycoprotein was estimated by ELISA using fucose and sialic acid specific lectins from Aleuria aurantia, Lotus tetragonolobus, and Ulex europaeus as well as Maackia amurensis and Sambucus nigra, respectively. RESULTS Leukocytospermic seminal fibronectin, in comparison with fibronectin of normal fertile group, showed lower relative reactivity with AAL, LTA and UEA, and higher reactivity with MAA and SNA, while the AGP of the leukocytospermic group was less reactive with AAL, and the relative reactivity with LTA and MAA was significantly higher. Fibronectin and α{1}-acid glycoprotein reactivity with UEA and MAA showed high positive correlations. DISCUSSION Leukocytospermia was associated with the alterations of terminal monosaccharide expression in human seminal fibronectin and α{1}-acid glycoprotein. The increase of sialyl-Lewis{ x} antigen in α{1}-acid glycoprotein can be used as a marker of genital tract inflammation manifested by leukocytospermia.