Molecular Human Reproduction, Vol. 6, No. 3, 226-231,
March 2000
© 2000 European Society of Human Reproduction and Embryology
Testis and spermatozoa |
Fatty acid composition of spermatozoa and immature germ cells
1 Laboratory of Seminology and Immunology of Human Reproduction, V Medical Clinic, University of Rome `La Sapienza' and 2 Laboratory of Physiopathology, Institute `S.Gallicano', Rome 00161, Italy
Abstract
A great deal of attention has recently been given to the essential role of polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFA) of sperm membranes. We studied the fatty acid composition of the immature germ cells (IGC) and of the sperm populations separated by Percoll gradient in the ejaculate of normozoospermic patients. Fatty acid pattern was analysed by combined gas chromatography–mass spectrometry on a capillary column. In IGC, differences were found compared with mature spermatozoa, with a higher percentage of saturated fatty acids and of essential fatty acids. On the contrary, the long-chain PUFA were significantly lower in IGC. The highest concentration of n3 PUFA docohexaenoic acid (DHA) was detected in the spermatozoa deriving from 70–100% Percoll layers and a direct linear correlation was found between the increase of DHA and increased percentage of Percoll gradient. An inverse relationship between the percentage of atypical sperm forms in each layer and the percentage of DHA was also observed. This study demonstrates that the human germ cell line can elongate and desaturate essential fatty acids and that the percentage of long-chain PUFA is correlated with the normal morphology of sperm cells.
docohexanoic acid/immature germ cells/polyunsaturated fatty acids/spermatozoa/sperm morphology
Notes
3 To whom correspondence should be addressed at: Laboratory of Seminology and Immunology of Reproduction, Dept of Medical Pathophysiology, Policlinico of Rome `Umberto I', University of Rome `La Sapienza', Viale Regina Elena, 00161, Rome, Italy
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