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15 July 2009 Functional Roles of Mouse Sperm Hyaluronidases, HYAL5 and SPAM1, in Fertilization
Masanori Kimura, Ekyune Kim, Woojin Kang, Misuzu Yamashita, Mariko Saigo, Taiga Yamazaki, Tomoko Nakanishi, Shin-ichi Kashiwabara, Tadashi Baba
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Abstract

Although sperm entry into the oocyte-cumulus complex and subsequent sperm penetration through the cumulus matrix to reach the oocyte zona pellucida are essential for mammalian fertilization, the molecular mechanism remains controversial. Previously, we have shown that mouse sperm lacking SPAM1 are capable of penetrating the cumulus matrix despite a delayed dispersal of cumulus cells. We also have identified another sperm hyaluronidase, HYAL5, as a candidate enzyme involved in sperm penetration through the cumulus. In the present study, we produced HYAL5-deficient mice to uncover the functional roles of HYAL5 and SPAM1 in fertilization. The HYAL5-deficient mice were fully fertile and yielded normal litter sizes. In vitro fertilization assays demonstrated that HYAL5-deficient epididymal sperm is functionally normal. We thus conclude that HYAL5 may be dispensable for fertilization. Comparative analysis among wild-type, HYAL5-deficient, and SPAM1-deficient epididymal sperm revealed that only SPAM1 is probably involved in sperm penetration through the cumulus matrix. Notably, the loss of SPAM1 resulted in a remarkably increased accumulation of sperm on the surface or outer edge of the cumulus. These data suggest that SPAM1 may function in sperm entry into the cumulus and sperm penetration through the cumulus matrix.

Masanori Kimura, Ekyune Kim, Woojin Kang, Misuzu Yamashita, Mariko Saigo, Taiga Yamazaki, Tomoko Nakanishi, Shin-ichi Kashiwabara, and Tadashi Baba "Functional Roles of Mouse Sperm Hyaluronidases, HYAL5 and SPAM1, in Fertilization," Biology of Reproduction 81(5), 939-947, (15 July 2009). https://doi.org/10.1095/biolreprod.109.078816
Received: 13 May 2009; Accepted: 1 June 2009; Published: 15 July 2009
KEYWORDS
cumulus cells
fertilization
hyaluronidase
Mouse
oocyte
ovum
sperm
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