Lectin-binding sites in testis of men with acrosomeless round-headed spermatozoa

We report herein about lectin histochemistry of seminiferous epithelia in two infertile men with exlusely acrosomeless round-headed spermatozoa. FITC-conjugated lectins (ConA, PNA, RCA II, WGA) have been employed on tissue sections of Bouin fixed testicular biopsies. RCA II gave a dot-like fluorescence of the acrosomal region and WGA gave a cap-like acrosomal fluorescence of spermatids. PNA-a marker of acrosomal differentiation-failed to stain spermatids. The binding of ConA to germ cells was not influenced by this syndrome. In conclusion, the syndrome of acrosomeless round-headed spermatozoa is associated with selective perturbations of testicular lectin-binding sites. They might contribute of the inability of sperm cells to adhere to and penetrate into ova.