Publication: Oocytes use the plasminogen-plasmin system to remove supernumerary spermatozoa
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Date
2012-05-03
Authors
Grullón LA ; Coy Fuster, Pilar ; Jíménez Movilla, María ; García Vázquez, Francisco Alberto ; Mondéjar Corbalán, Irene ; Romar Andrés, Raquel
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Romar Andrés, Raquel
Publisher
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DOI
10.1093/humrep/des146
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info:eu-repo/semantics/article
Description
Abstract
background: The role of the plasminogen-plasmin (PLG-PLA) system in fertilization is unknown, although its dysfunction has been
associated with subfertility in humans. We have recently detected and quantified plasminogen in the oviductal fluid of two mammals and
showed a reduction in sperm penetration during IVF when plasminogen is present. The objective of this study was to describe the mechanism
by which PLG-PLA system regulates sperm entry into the oocyte.
methods and results: By combining biochemical, functional, electron microscopic, immunocytochemical and live cell imaging
methods, we show here that (i) plasminogen is activated into the protease plasmin, by gamete interaction; (ii) urokinase-type and tissuetype
plasminogen activators are present in oocytes, but they are not of cortical granule origin; (iii) sperm binding to oocytes triggers the
releasing of plasminogen activators and (iv) the generated plasmin causes sperm detachment from the zona pellucida.
conclusions: Our results describe a novel mechanism for the success or failure of fertilization in mammals, by which molecules
present in the oviductal environment are activated by molecules originating within the gametes. We anticipate that therapeutic up- or
down-regulation of this physiological mechanism may be used to help in conception or as a contraceptive tool. Since components of the
PLG-PLA system are already available as drugs for heart attacks or cancer therapies, basic research on this novel function would be
rapidly transferable for clinical application.
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Citation
Human Reproduction, Vol.27, No.7 pp. 1985–1993, 2012
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