Expression profile and distribution of Annexin A1, A2 and A5 in human semen

MUNUCE, MARÍA JOSÉ; TEIJEIRO, JUAN MANUEL; MARINI, PATRICIA ESTELA

ANDROLOGIA

WILEY-BLACKWELL PUBLISHING, INC

Año: 2019 vol. 51

0303-4569

Annexins (ANXAs) have been identified in different seminal components mainly byproteomic methods. The presence and distribution of Annexin A1, A2 and A5(ANXA1, ANXA2, ANXA5) in human semen was analysed and the correspondingmRNAs studied in spermatozoa. All three ANXAs were present in prostasomes andspermatozoa, but only ANXA1 in prostasomes‐free seminal plasma.Immunofluorescence showed ANXA1 and ANXA5 in the sperm head, mid‐piece andflagellum. The amount of mRNAs corresponding to ANXA1 and A2 decreased withincreasing levels of the corresponding proteins indicating a probable regulation oftheir expression at the translational level during spermatogenesis. Additionally, DNAfragmentation was assessed by the sperm chromatin dispersion test. Lower amountsof ANXA1 and A2 with higher levels of the corresponding mRNAs were noted in poorquality semen samples. ANXA5 was detected in spermatozoa from all semen samples,but no particular trend was noted. The corresponding mRNA were detectedboth in excellent and poor quality semen samples. Results showed that ANXA1 andA2 expressions appear to be related with DNA fragmentation suggesting their possibleuse as new biomarkers for sperm DNA quality. ANXA5?s natural presence inspermatozoa suggest that revision of high‐quality sperm selection by binding to thisprotein is needed.