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Spermagglutination by bacteria: receptor-specific interactions

M Monga1, J A Roberts

  • 1Department of Urology, Tulane University School of Medicine, New Orleans, Louisiana.

Journal of Andrology
|March 1, 1994
PubMed
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Genital Escherichia coli infections cause sperm clumping by binding to sperm. Seminal fluid offers some protection, but understanding these interactions may lead to new infertility treatments.

Area of Science:

  • Microbiology
  • Reproductive Biology
  • Immunology

Background:

  • Genital infections, particularly prostatitis caused by Escherichia coli, are suspected to contribute to male infertility.
  • The specific mechanisms by which bacteria interact with sperm to cause infertility are not fully understood.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To investigate the receptor-ligand interactions between sperm and Escherichia coli.
  • To elucidate the role of bacterial adhesins and specific saccharide receptors in mediating spermagglutination.

Main Methods:

  • Evaluation of two E. coli surface adhesins: P-fimbriae and type 1 fimbriae.
  • Assessment of their specific receptor saccharides: alpha-galp-1-4-beta-galp-O-methyl (gal-gal) and mannose.
  • Observation of spermagglutination patterns (head-head, tail-tail) and inhibition by specific saccharides at a bacterial concentration of 10(4).

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  • Analysis of seminal fluid's protective effect against bacterial-induced spermagglutination.

    • Main Results:

    • Escherichia coli induced spermagglutination in 40-75% of motile sperm.
    • P-fimbriae mediated tail-tail agglutination, inhibited by gal-gal.
    • Type 1 fimbriae, interacting with mannose concentrated in the acrosomal region, caused head-head agglutination, inhibited by mannose.
    • Strains with both fimbriae caused combined agglutination, inhibited by a mannose/gal-gal combination.
    • Seminal fluid provided 50-100% protection, with less efficacy against type 1 fimbriae.

    Conclusions:

    • Receptor-ligand interactions between bacterial adhesins (P-fimbriae, type 1 fimbriae) and sperm surface saccharides (gal-gal, mannose) are key mechanisms in bacteria-induced infertility.
    • Understanding these specific interactions offers potential therapeutic targets for infertility treatment.
    • This knowledge could also inform the development of novel spermagglutinating contraceptives.