Lectin histochemistry studies have shown that all cell types of spermatogenesis lineage contain

mannose, N-acetylglucosamine, sialic acid, galactose, and N-acetylgalactosamine in human,2 and mouse.6 The presence of glycoconjugates, including those recognized by lectins such as Concanavalin A (Con A), WGA, and peanut agglutinin (PNA), from the testicular to the ejaculated sperm membrane, has been previously studied.7 These glycoconjugates are involved in spermatogenesis,2 capacitation, and acrosomal reaction.8 Inhibitors,research,lifescience,medical The modification of the glycoproteins of the sperm surface is one of the aspects of sperm maturation, which occurs in the epididymis and is correlated with many sperm functions.9 Acrosome reaction is one of the

most important events that occur prior to fertilization.10 It has been shown that whereas some glycoconjugate-reacted lectins such as Con A and PNA induce acrosome reaction, WGA does not.11 In Assisted Reproductive Technology (ART), one of the most important considerations is the production Inhibitors,research,lifescience,medical of excessive free radicals, including reactive oxygen species (ROS), due to laboratory manipulations, cellular waste products, presence of large numbers of leukocytes, and immature germ cells. Therefore, sperm samples from males undergoing ART programs have been subjected to oxidative stress and are susceptible to oxidative damage, Inhibitors,research,lifescience,medical especially when the samples are GSK J4 mouse exposed to low levels of protective antioxidant.12 Research has shown that ROS impacts on cellular components such as lipid and protein and the carbohydrate components,13 of the cell membrane. Immature sperms such as sperms extracted from the testis (TESE) produce much more ROS than ejaculated mature sperms.14 Sperm stimulators Inhibitors,research,lifescience,medical such as Pentoxifylline (PF) and L-carnitine (LC) are ROS scavengers.12 The epididymis produces many chemicals such as LC, the concentration of which in the epididymis is twice that present in the testis

in rats.15 LC plays an important role in the onset of sperm Inhibitors,research,lifescience,medical motility and sperm maturation and it subsequently increases sperm fertility.16 It has been suggested that high concentrations of carnitine in the epididymal fluid serve many to stabilize the sperm plasma membrane,17 confer a beneficial effect on cell survival, and reduce the number of acrosome-reacted sperms.18 The current literature suggests that a large number of agents such as PF improve sperm quality; however, any supplementation may exert both positive and negative effects on the various aspects of sperm functions. For instance, antioxidants such as PF act as a stimulator of the sperm,19 and can protect the sperm plasma membrane integrity.20 PF also has a protective effect on the reduction of the occurrence of acrosome reaction during the freeze-thaw process.21 In patients with oligoasthenozoospermia, treatment of pre-frozen sperms with PF is thought to improve induced acrosome reaction.