In vitro sperm agglutination and spermicidal activity of protein isolated from a marine mollusc Telescoium telescopium (Gastropoda)

摘要

The crude extract of spermatheca gland and its 50/100 ammonium sulphate fractionated protein (SF-50) were found to have sperm agglutinating and immobilizing effect on murine, ovine and human spermatozoa in vitro. The effects were dose- dependent. Human unwashed and washed sperm cells were found dead within 20 sec after application of 6 mg/ml and 5 mg /ml of SF-50 respectively. Hemolymph of the mollusc, however, showed much less agglutinating effect than that of SF-50. SF-50 caused coiling of spermatozoan tail, swelling of acrosome and neck region and extrusion of the sperm tail membrane. The protein is highly soluble in water and contains sialic acid binding lectin.