Ultrastructural localization of lectin binding sites of the acrosomal membrane system of boar spermatozoa

Abstract

The distribution of the main lectin receptors of boar spermatozoa were analyzed by concanavalin A and Ricinus communis agglutinin-120 visualized for light microscopy by enzymatic amplification with 3-amino-9-ethylcarbazole. The lectin binding sites of the acrosomal membranes in addition to the plasma membrane were displayed by electron microscopy using the lectin-peroxidase and lectin-ferritin technique. Lectin binding was particularly prominent at the anterior part of the head. It could be shown that both acrosomal membranes contain receptor sites for concanavalin A and Ricinus communis-agglutinin-120. Additionally, the whole cell surface could be labeled with both lectins.