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The Presence of Functional Luteinizing Hormone/Chorionic Gonadotropin Receptors in Human Sperm

Divisions of Reproductive Endocrinology and Infertility (A.E., S.T.N.) and Basic Science Research (S.B., Z.M.L., C.V.R.), Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, University of Louisville Health Sciences Center, Louisville, Kentucky 40292

Address correspondence and requests for reprints to: Dr. C. V. Rao, Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, 438 MDR Building, University of Louisville, Health Sciences Center, Louisville, Kentucky 40292. E-mail: cvrao001{at}gwise.louisville.edu

Abstract

The functional receptors that bind human CG (hCG) and LH have recently been identified in a number of nongonadal human tissues. The current experiments tested the hypothesis that human ejaculated sperm may also contain them. The data revealed that they, indeed, do as determined by the presence of receptor messenger RNA and receptor protein that can bind ¹²⁵I-hCG. The receptors were functional, as indicated by an increase in cyclic AMP levels and activation of sperm protein kinase A following treatment with hCG or LH. Treatment with these hormones, on the other hand, had no effect on sperm protein kinase C activity. Now that the functional LH/hCG receptors are found in human sperm, it is important to determine whether hCG treatment could improve the outcome of infertility procedures.

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