[Correlation between ABH glycolipids in sperm and functional test]

To determine the association, if any, between the human spermatic membrane integrity test and normal or altered membrane ABH glycosphingolipids expression.

Semen samples from 50 patients who consulted at the infertility services of the Provincial del Centenario and Eva Peron de Granadero Belgorria teaching hospitals in Rosario (Argentina) were collected and analyzed in accordance with WHO guidelines. The percentage of dead sperm was analyzed by the eosin test while the percentage of swollen sperm was analyzed by the hypoosmotic test. They were classified according to their ABH expression, either diminished or absent (group 1) or normal (group 2), by applying the hemagglutination inhibition and specific antibody consumption technique. For the statistical analysis the two groups were compared with both spermatic viability tests using the non parametric Mann-Whitney technique for independent samples, since the assumptions for the application of the parametric test (test t) were not fulfilled.

A significant difference was found in the percentage of dead sperm (eosin test) of both groups (p < 0.001). However, there was no significant difference in the percentage of swollen sperm (hypoosmotic test) of the two groups.

Our results and the data published in the literature indicate a relationship between a reduced ABH expression and spermatozoid membrane integrity, especially at the level of the head, which leads us to consider that ABH glycosphingolipids are mainly located in this segment of the human spermatozoon involved in the spermatozoon-ovum interactions.