Analysis of DNA fragmentation, plasma membrane translocation of phosphatidylserine and oxidative stress in human spermatozoa

The objectives of this cross-sectional observational study were: (i) to detect DNA damage and plasma membrane translocation of phosphatidylserine in purified sperm populations of high and low motility, and (ii) to analyse their relationship with the endogenous generation of reactive oxygen species. Ejaculates from infertile men were examined following gradient centrifugation. The main outcome measures were: sperm motion parameters (assessed with a computer analyser), generation of reactive oxygen species (measured by chemiluminescence), DNA damage (detected by terminal deoxynucleotidyl transferase-mediated dUDP nick-end labelling and monoclonal antibody labelling of single-stranded DNA) and translocation of membrane phosphatidylserine (examined with annexin V staining). DNA fragmentation and membrane translocation of phosphatidyl-serine were observed in the fractions with low and high sperm motility in all patients. The fractions with low sperm motility had significantly higher proportion of cells with DNA damage and production of reactive oxygen species than the fractions with high sperm motility (P < 0.005). DNA fragmentation was significantly and positively correlated with the generation of reactive oxygen species (r = 0.42; P = 0.02). In conclusion: (i) spermatozoa from infertile men display translocation of membrane phosphatidylserine as diagnosed by annexin V positive staining; (ii) DNA damage (fragmentation and presence of single-stranded DNA) can be detected in ejaculated spermatozoa from infertile men in fractions with low and high sperm motility, and (iii) there is a relationship between DNA damage and oxidative stress.     

Low rates of DNA fragmentation in selected motile human spermatozoa assessed by the TUNEL assay

BACKGROUND: In this study we present the physiological changes observed in ejaculated spermatozoa of normospermic men after exposure to hydrogen peroxide (H(2)O(2)) or gamma irradiation. METHODS: Motility changes as well as membrane and DNA-damage were determined in spermatozoa after incubation with 25 micromol/l of H(2)O(2) during increasing intervals of time (0--60 min and after 24 h) or after irradiation of cells using alpha rays. Annexin V-binding in combination with propidium iodide was used for the assessment of membrane changes after each incubation time. TdT-mediated-dUTP nick-end labelling (TUNEL) was used to evaluate DNA damage. RESULTS: After 1 h incubation of the spermatozoa with H(2)O(2), almost all cells were positive for Annexin-V, while no significantly increase in TUNEL positivity was observed. TUNEL results were significantly higher 24 h after incubation with H(2)O(2) (10--16.3%, P = 0.03). In the control group (cumulus cells), an increase in the percentage of TUNEL positive cells was observed after 15 min of incubation with H(2)O(2) and showed a five-fold increase after 24 h (from 8.1-72.1%, P < 0.001). TUNEL positive cells after alpha irradiation increased with the doses and post-irradiation time (from 10.8--47.2%). Interestingly, when only motile spermatozoa from irradiated samples were analysed, only 0.5% were TUNEL positive. CONCLUSION: Motility may be a relevant physiological marker for DNA-intact sperm after exposure of spermatozoa to H(2)O(2) and alpha irradiation.     

Lack of association between smoking and DNA fragmentation in the spermatozoa of normal men

Male factor infertility patients can have anomalies in their sperm nuclei, displaying high levels of loosely packaged chromatin and damaged DNA. The primary objectives of this study were to compare the extent of DNA fragmentation in the spermatozoa of healthy light and heavy smokers versus non-smokers, and to investigate its correlation with concentrations of the smoking markers cotinine and cadmium. A secondary objective was to compare the concentrations of blood cadmium and serum cotinine with corresponding concentrations in seminal plasma. Ninety-seven healthy male volunteers were divided into three groups: non-smokers, light and heavy smokers. There was no difference between the three groups with respect to age, number of ejaculations per week, serum testosterone concentration, and parameters of semen analysis. The percentages of DNA fragmentation in spermatozoa were not statistically different in the heavy smokers (12.11%), light smokers (11.66%) and non-smokers (20.41%). Serum and seminal plasma concentrations of cotinine were significantly higher in heavy smokers compared with the other groups (P < 0.0001). Median values for blood cadmium concentration were higher in heavy smokers (4.50 microg/l) than in light smokers (0.20 microg/l) and non-smokers (0.20 microg/l) (P < 0.001). Cadmium concentration in seminal plasma was significantly higher in heavy smokers (0.20 microg/l) than in light smokers (0.10 microg/l) and non-smokers (0. 10 microg/l) (P < 0.05). In summary, our results indicate no association between smoking and DNA fragmentation in the spermatozoa of healthy men.     

Apoptosis and necrosis in human ejaculated spermatozoa

BACKGROUND: Features of both apoptosis and necrosis have been reported in ejaculated human spermatozoa. This study examines the relative contribution of these two modes of cell death to the demise of these terminally differentiated cells. METHODS: Sperm fractions were prepared from aliquots of semen samples from young normozoospermic donors by simple washing from seminal plasma, by discontinuous density gradient centrifugation or by swim-up technique. They were subsequently incubated in vitro at 37 degrees C for 24 h. Sperm motility, viability, and the presence of two apoptotic markers, phosphatidylserine externalization (annexin-V binding) and DNA fragmentation (TUNEL), were examined before incubation and again after 4 and 24 h of incubation. RESULTS: The swim-up technique was the most efficient in terms of the recovery of viable, motile and non-apoptotic spermatozoa, followed by density gradient centrifugation and finally simple washing. No changes in the parameters tested were observed after 4 h of incubation, but a significant decrease in sperm motility and viability was detected after 24 h irrespective of the sperm preparation technique employed. However, these changes were not accompanied by any increase in the incidence of spermatozoa showing markers of an active apoptotic process. CONCLUSIONS: Healthy human ejaculated spermatozoa appear incapable of initiating apoptosis, at least under in vitro conditions.     

The role of catechols and free radicals in benzene toxicity: An oxidative DNA damage pathway

Benzene is a widespread volatile compound and an environmental contaminant. Since it causes important toxic effects in workers exposed to low levels, long‐term exposure to this compound has been extensively studied. Leukemia, blood disorders, bone marrow depression, and some types of cancer are directly related to benzene‐initiated toxicity. Bioactivation of benzene can lead to the formation of hazardous metabolites such as phenol, hydroquinone, and catechol. Catechol forms semiquinones and reactive quinones that are presumed to play an important role in the generation of reactive oxygen species (ROS). ROS formation can directly induce single and double strand breaks in the DNA, oxidized nucleotides, and hyper‐recombination, and consequently produces deleterious genetic changes. In this review, we have addressed the cytotoxic effects of benzene and its main metabolite, catechol, focusing on the oxidative pathway and further DNA damage. Environ. Mol. Mutagen. 2009. © 2009 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.     

Andrology: Placebo-controlled, double-blind, cross-over trial of glutathione therapy in male infertility

Glutathione therapy was used for 2 months in a placebo-controlleddouble-blind cross-over trial of 20 infertile patients withdyspermia associated with unilateral varicocele (VAR) or germ-freegenital tract inflammation (INF). The patients received eitherglutathione (group 1) or placebo (group 2) for 2 months, thenthey crossed over to the alternative treatment for a further2 months. The patients were randomly and blindly assigned totreatment (one i.m. injection every other day of either 600mg glutathione or an equal volume of a placebo preparation).The standard semen analysis and the computer-assisted spermmotility analyses were carried out before treatment and duringthe trial. Statistical cross-over analysis, case-control studyand treatment efficacy test were carried out on groups 1 and2 and differences in the effects of therapy between VAR andINF patients with varicocele or inflammation were tested. Glutathionetherapy demonstrated a statistically significant positive effecton sperm motility, in particular on the percentage of forwardmotility, the kinetic parameters of the computerized analysisand on sperm morphology. The findings of this study indicatethat glutathione therapy could represent a possible therapeuticaltool for both of the selected andrological pathologies.     

Testicular and sperm DNA damage after treatment with fludarabine for chronic lymphocytic leukaemia

This study investigated whether chemotherapy using fludarabine (FLU) caused testicular damage and if cytotoxicity could be detected as sperm DNA damage in the single cell Comet assay. A patient with chronic lymphocytic leukaemia requesting preservation of fertility was treated with seven monthly cycles of fludarabine (45.8 mg total dose per cycle). Testicular assessments, serum follicle stimulating hormone (FSH), luteinizing hormone (LH), and testosterone measurements, semen analysis and sperm Comet assays were carried out at presentation (pre-FLU therapy), after 1 and 7 months of FLU treatment, and finally at 11 months after completion of chemotherapy. We found that testicular damage occurred within a month, as indicated by reduced testicular volume, oligozoospermia, elevated FSH and LH, and lower testosterone concentrations. Spermatozoa with a large range of DNA damage were detected in the samples from both the control and treated men. DNA damage in the spermatozoa was marked by 7 months of FLU treatment. The high levels of sperm DNA damage seen during and possibly persisting after treatment suggests that caution should be exercised if the ejaculates from these men are used for in-vitro fertility treatment. Further experiments are needed to assess the biological significance of these DNA changes; it may, however, be prudent at present to be cautious when counselling these patients.     

Andrology: Analysis of sperm movement in relation to the oxidative stress created by leukocytes in washed sperm preparations and seminal plasma

The addition of luminol to unprocessed semen samples resultedin the generation of chemiluminescent signals, the intensityof which was highly correlated with the level of leukocyte contamination.Despite the spontaneous oxidant-generating capacity of seminalleukocytes, no correlations were observed between leukocytecontamination and the fertility status of the subjects or anyaspect of the semen profile, including the motility of the spermatozoaor their performance in a hyaluronate penetration assay. Luminol-dependentchemiluminescence and leukocyte contamination were also correlatedin washed sperm suspensions prepared either by repeated centrifugationor on discontinuous Percoll gradients. However, in such spermsuspensions, the spontaneous generation of oxidants by contaminatingleukocytes (>2x10⁴ leukocytes/ml) was invariably associatedwith a decreased capacity for movement. Moreover, causativeassociations between leukocyte contamination, reactive oxygenspecies generation, lipid peroxidation and impaired sperm motilitywere revealed by experiments involving the selective additionor removal of activated leukocytes. From these observationswe can conclude that low concentrations of leukocytes are acommon feature of the human ejaculate and can impair sperm function,particularly in the absence of seminal plasma. These findingshave implications for our understanding of the importance ofleukocytospermia in defining the fertility of human spermatozoain vivo and in vitro.     

Relationship between oxidative stress and embryotoxicity of hydrosalpingeal fluid

BACKGROUND: Oxidative stress mechanisms are involved in the pathophysiology of many reproductive disorders. The objective of this study was to characterize oxidative stress parameters in hydrosalpingeal fluid (HSF) and examine their possible role in early embryo development. METHODS AND RESULTS: HSF was aspirated at laparoscopic salpingectomy in 11 infertile women. Reactive oxygen species (ROS), total (non-enzymatic) antioxidant capacity (TAC) and lipid peroxidation (LPO) were assayed. Two-cell mouse embryos were incubated with 25, 50 or 75% HSF and the blastocyst development rate was observed. ROS was detected in five of 11 (45%) HSF samples with a mean of 4.2 x 10(4) c.p.m. LPO was detected in all samples at a mean (+/- SD) value of 5575.4 +/- 6091.9 micromol/l malonaldehyde. The mean blastocyst development rate at 25, 5+/- 0 and 75% HSF and in the control group was 88.9 +/- 9.4, 65.7 +/- 19.1, 45.7 +/- 5.7 and 96.7% respectively (P < 0.0001). The blastocyst development rate was positively correlated to ROS concentrations (P < 0.02) but was not significantly related to LPO. CONCLUSIONS: The blastocyst development rate decreased with increasing concentrations of HSF. For the first time, the presence of ROS, LPO and TAC activity in human HSF was characterized. A possible role of oxidative stress in the embryotoxicity of HSF is suggested.     

Intracellular hydrogen peroxide production by peripheral phagocytes from diabetic patients. Dissociation between polymorphonuclear leucocytes and monocytes.

Although the standard assays for reactive oxygen species have been based on the measurement of those released into the extracellular environment, the microbicidal capacity to the engulfed microorganisms is mainly dependent on those released into the intracellular environment, such as phagosomes. We studied intracellular oxidative activities of individual phagocytes by dichlorofluorescein (DCFH) oxidation assay to investigate the relationship between the reactive oxygen species released intracellularly and the impaired microbicidal capacity in diabetic patients. Time courses of intracellular production of hydrogen peroxide by polymorphonuclear leucocytes (PMNL) and monocytes were observed at the resting condition and after the stimulation with phorbol myristate acetate (PMA; 160 nM) by flow cytometry. Thirty-four patients with non-insulin-dependent diabetes mellitus (NIDDM) and 23 age-matched healthy volunteers were subjected to the studies. PMNL from patients with NIDDM showed a significantly decreased capacity to produce hydrogen peroxide after the stimulation (P less than 0.05 at 15 min, P less than 0.01 at 30 and 45 min). By contrast, intracellular hydrogen peroxide production by monocytes at the resting condition and an early stimulatory phase (8 min after the stimulation) was significantly (P less than 0.01) enhanced in patients with NIDDM compared with that in controls. Both the changes of intracellular hydrogen peroxide production observed in PMNL and monocytes from patients with NIDDM were in association with an increased haemoglobin Alc level in erythrocytes, but did not relate to total cholesterol and triglyceride levels in the serum. The possible mechanisms of these dissociated changes in hydrogen peroxide producing capacity of phagocytes from patients with NIDDM are discussed.     

Ascorbic acid and urate in human seminal plasma: determination and interrelationships with chemiluminescence in washed semen

Peroxidative damage induced by reactive oxygen species (ROS)has been proposed as one of the major causes of defective spermfunction. The ROS detected in semen reflect an imbalance betweenROS generation and degradation. The objective of the presentstudy was to investigate the relationship between the oxidativeand anti-oxidative potential in semen of infertile patientsand healthy donors. Specimens were obtained from 28 patientsand 18 healthy donors (controls). A conventional spermiogram,measurement of luminol-chemiluminescence (CL) in washed semen,and high performance liquid chromatography determination ofascorbic acid and urate concentrations in seminal plasma wereperformed. Oligozoospermic patients exhibited higher CL signalsthan controls (P < 0.001). Normozoospermic patients showedlower ascorbic acid (mean ± SE: 491 ± 46 µM,P < 0.04) and urate concentrations (320 ± 22 µM,P < 0.009) than controls (612 ± 35 and 426 ±26 µM respectively). Seminal plasma ascorbic acid wasnegatively correlated with the CL signals (P < 0.0006) andpositively correlated with the percentage of spermatozoa withnormal morphology (P < 0.006). This is the first report ofa correlation between the anti-oxidant ascorbic acid in seminalplasma and ROS generation in human semen. Furthermore, the reducedascorbic acid/urate concentrations found in semen of normozoospermicpatients might be indicative of a reduced anti-oxidative protection.     

DNA damage in human transitional cell carcinoma cells after exposure to the proximate metabolite of the bladder carcinogen 4-aminobiphenyl

The DNA damage induced by N-hydroxy-4-acetylaminobiphenyl (N-OH-AABP), the proximate carcinogenic metabolite of the human bladder carcinogen 4-aminobiphenyl (ABP), was examined in human transitional cell carcinoma (TCC) cells after exposure to the chemical in vitro. 32P-postlabeling analysis of TCC cultures exposed to N-OH-AABP revealed a minor adduct identified as 3-(deoxyguanosin-N2-yl)-4-acetylaminobiphenyl (dG-N2-AABP) based on comparison of the HPLC and TLC mobility of the product with the synthetic standard. An adduct with the same chromatographic properties was also detected on postlabeling analyses of calf thymus DNA bound to N-OH-AABP by incubation with horseradish peroxidase and hydrogen peroxide. Detection of dG-N2-AABP, which contains the acetyl moiety, suggests that N-acetoxy-4-acetylamino-biphenyl might be formed as a reactive intermediate and could conceivably arise by a free-radical-mediated reaction of N-OH-AABP with endogenous peroxidases. The radical intermediates could also form reactive oxygen species (ROS). To test this possibility, TCC cultures were exposed to N-OH-AABP and the formation of ROS was measured using 2,7-dichlorofluorescein (DCF) fluorescence assay. TCC cultures exposed to N-OH-AABP showed a dose-dependent increase in the ratio of DCF/DNA fluorescence compared to the untreated controls. Formation of ROS was inhibited by butylated hydroxyanisole (BHA). Furthermore, oxidative DNA damage resulting from ROS was monitored by measurement of 8-oxoguanine products by immunochemical staining and the TCC cells treated with N-OH-AABP revealed a characteristic staining. These results suggest that N-OH-AABP caused oxidative DNA damage as well as bulky covalent adducts in urothelial DNA, possibly involving endogenous peroxidases. These findings show that human uroepithelial cells, which are the target cell types in vivo for arylamine-induced cancers, are metabolically capable of activating these proximate carcinogenic metabolites of arylamines, and these reactions might play a determinate role in the genotoxicity of these environmental carcinogens.     

精子DNA碎片与活性氧的关系研究及对IVF结局的影响

目的探讨不育男性的精子DNA损伤程度与精液常规分析各项指标及活性氧的关系,以及对常规体外受精-胚胎移植(IVF-ET)结局的影响。方法接受常规IVF受精的夫妇135例,男性患者作为研究对象,按照精子DNA损伤率将患者分为3组:正常组(精子DNA损伤率0%～15%)79例、轻度损伤组(精子DNA损伤率15%～30%)49例、重度损伤组(DNA损伤率>30%)7例。分析精子DNA损伤对精液常规指标(体积、浓度、活动力和形态)的影响,观察三组患者精浆中过氧化氢(H2O2)、过氧化氢酶(CTA)浓度的变化及三组间受精率、卵裂率、优胚率、种植率、临床妊娠率的差异性。结果重度损伤组的精子活力(a+b)明显低于正常组和轻度损伤组(P<0.05),重度损伤组及轻度损伤组的精子畸形率明显高于正常组(P<0.05)。重度损伤组的优胚率明显低于正常组和轻度损伤组(P<0.05),三组间受精率、卵裂率、植入率和临床妊娠率无统计学差异。重度损伤组精浆中的H2O2浓度明显高于正常组和轻度损伤组(P<0.05),而CTA浓度无统计学差异。结论精子DNA损伤与高H2O2水平有关。精子DNA损伤可导致精液的活动力下降,精子畸形率增高,降低优胚率,不利于IVF-ET的结局。     

Analysis of chromosomal abnormalities in testicular and epididymal spermatozoa from azoospermic ICSI patients by fluorescence in-situ hybridization

BACKGROUND: An increased incidence of numerical chromosomal abnormalities has been reported in the ejaculated spermatozoa of infertile patients. However, there are few cytogenetic studies of testicular and epididymal spermatozoa, and their results are still controversial. METHODS: Fluorescence in-situ hybridization (FISH) analysis of chromosomes 13, 18, 21, X and Y was performed on seven testicular samples and two epididymal samples from patients with obstructive azoospermia (OA), and on 13 testicular samples from patients with non-obstructive azoospermia (NOA). Five ejaculated sperm samples from normozoospermic fertile donors were evaluated as a control group. RESULTS: Both epididymal sperm samples showed normal FISH results for the parameters analysed when compared with those of the control group. FISH results were abnormal in 29% (two of seven) of testicular samples from OA patients and in 54% (seven of 13) of those from NOA patients, although this difference was not statistically significant. Testicular samples from OA patients showed a significant increase of disomy for sex chromosomes (P<0.01), whereas NOA patients displayed significantly higher rates of diploidy (P<0.0001) and disomy for chromosomes 13 (P<0.0001), 21 (P<0.001) and sex chromosomes (P<0.0001) than the control group. CONCLUSIONS: Testicular spermatozoa from azoospermic patients present increased rates of chromosomal abnormalities, mainly of the sex chromosomes, which are particularly high in NOA patients.     

Chromatin status in human ejaculated spermatozoa from infertile patients and relationship to seminal parameters

The aim of this study was to evaluate the chromatin status in different groups of patients. Five groups of men were selected: pre-vasectomy; male factor infertility; varicocele; immunological male infertility; and idiopathic infertility. Chromatin status was evaluated using flow cytometry after staining the DNA with the fluorochrome propidium iodide. Differences were observed in the state of sperm chromatin between the male factor and varicocele groups with respect to the others. These two groups presented poorer quality chromatin, as evidenced fundamentally by a lower degree of condensation. These deficiencies in chromatin status were usually accompanied by alterations in the other standard parameters of semen analysis. Individuals who are infertile due to male factor and those presenting varicocele have spermatozoa with less condensed chromatin which might, in part, explain their sterility.     

Dinstinct ROS and biochemical profiles in cells undergoing DNA damage-induced senescence and apoptosis

Cellular senescence and apoptosis are both caused by DNA damage stresses, and their severity appears to decide between the two cellular outcomes. In recent studies, it is suggested that these two states may be closely linked and be switched by certain molecular determinants such as p21WAF1 and caspase (Abdelhadi, 2003). However, it is unknown how the pathways to senescence and apoptosis are determined. In addition, although DNA damage stresses frequently accompany cellular accumulation of reactive oxygen species (ROS), how ROS are involved in the decision between the two pathways is unknown. In the present study, MCF-7 cells were induced to senescence or apoptosis by the treatment of varying doses of adriamycin. And, through a series of time course studies, ROS generation profiles and changes in the status of the proteins involved in growth regulation and apoptosis were determined. Significant levels of ROS were produced in senescing cells but not in apoptotic cells. Therefore, senescence is associated with ROS accumulation, but apoptosis is caused independently of ROS. In addition, cells in these two states exhibited quite distinct time course profiles of the proteins, p53, p21WAF1, and E2F1.     

DNA damage and repair capacity in lymphocytes from obstructive sleep apnea patients

Obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) syndrome is a respiratory disease that is linked to heart attacks and high blood pressure. In the present study, we used the Comet assay to compare basal DNA damage and DNA damage induction by hydrogen peroxide, ethanol, and gamma-irradiation in lymphocytes from 35 OSA patients and 35 controls. We also measured the apoptosis and necrosis produced by these agents and the ability of the lymphocytes to repair the induced DNA damage. It was found that lymphocytes isolated from OSA patients had higher basal levels of DNA damage and were more sensitive to the effects of the DNA-damaging agents than lymphocytes from controls. OSA patients also had a reduced capacity to repair the DNA damage induced by the three agents, but apoptosis and necrosis were similar in OSA patients and the controls.     

亚硒酸钠诱导的人白血病耐药细胞株MR2的生长抑制及凋亡

本文以人急性髓系白血病M3型耐药细胞株（抗全反式维甲酸ATRA）MR2为研究对象，通过细胞生长增殖分析，细胞凋亡相关指标的检测，细胞内活性氧自由基含量的测定等，探讨亚硒酸钠对MR2细胞的凋亡诱导作用及其作用机制。结果发现：（1）亚硒酸钠浓度大于10μmol/L时对细胞株有明显的生长抑制作用，大于20μmol/L时有明显的凋亡作用，并呈剂量时间依赖性增加。40μmol/L的亚硒酸钠作用细胞60h后，可使凋亡百分率超过80％；（2）亚硒酸钠作用细胞一定时间后可使胞内自由基水平增加，并在24h时出现最大值，以上结果表明亚硒酸钠对MR2细胞的生长抑制及凋亡诱导作用可能是通过氧化应激实现的。     

Carvacrol has the priming effects of reactive oxygen species (ROS) production in C6 glioma cells

Carvacrol (5-isopropyl-2-methylphenol) is the major component of Plectranthus amboinicus. Several studies have shown that carvacrol has antibacterial, antifungal and insecticidal effects, but the mechanisms that govern these processes are unclear. Reactive oxygen species (ROS) play a major role in host defence eradication of microorganisms. In this study, we provide evidence that carvacrol has priming effects on ROS production in C6 glioma cells. By viability assay, carvacrol was not cytotoxic to C6 cells at levels below 300 µM. We pretreated C6 cells with or without carvacrol and stimulated them with LPS/TPA, after which the C6 cells produced more ROS in TPA/LPS with carvacrol than in LPS/TPA alone. Thus, carvacrol has priming effects on ROS production during stimulation by bacterial cell wall components. Our research provides a possible mechanism that underlies the antimicrobial effects of carvacrol.     

Phosphorylation of the Arginine-X-X-(Serine/Threonine) motif in human sperm proteins during capacitation: modulation and protein kinase A dependency

Sperm capacitation is a complex process that involves a protein kinase A (PKA)-dependent tyrosine phosphorylation of proteins. We studied the time-course, the modulation and the cellular localization of the phosphorylation of the Arginine-X-X-(Serine/Threonine) motif, characteristic of PKA substrates, in sperm proteins during capacitation. There was an increased phosphorylation of 80 (p80) and 105 (p105) kDa protein bands in human sperm treated with different capacitation inducers. Phosphorylation of p80 and p105 induced by fetal cord serum ultrafiltrate or the combination of 3-isobutyl-1-methylxanthine and dibutyryl cAMP was prevented by H89 and Rp-adenosine-3',5'-cyclic monophosphorothionate, confirming the involvement of PKA in this effect. Inhibitors of protein kinase C, receptor type tyrosine kinase and mitogen-activated protein kinase kinase did not affect the Arginine-X-X-(Serine/Threonine) motif phosphorylation. Non-receptor type protein tyrosine kinase inhibitors, PP2 and herbimycin A, enzymatic antioxidants and a nitric oxide synthase inhibitor prevented the phosphorylation of p80 and p105 when sperm were incubated with fetal cord serum ultrafiltrate. The phosphorylated Arginine-X-X-Serine/Threonine motif was immunolocalized all along the flagellum and the fluorescent signal was higher in capacitating than in non-capacitating sperm. These results show for the first time the presence of a PKA-dependent phosphorylation of proteins in human sperm capacitation and its upstream modulation by reactive oxygen species and non-receptor type protein tyrosine kinase.