Proteomic characterization of human sperm plasma membrane-associated proteins and their role in capacitation.

Background: Plasma membranes of ejaculated sperm are covered by epididymal and accessory glands secreted proteins that must be released from sperm surface during the female reproductive tract passage in order to capacitate and fertilize the oocyte.

Objectives: As human sperm plasma membrane-associated proteins (SMAP) have not yet been investigated, the aim of this study was to characterize the SMAP released during in vitro human capacitation and to study their possible role as decapacitation factors.

Materials And Methods: SMAP were characterized by 2-dimensional electrophoresis and mass spectrometry analysis.