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(203) EXPRESSION OF GM-CSF IN MALE GERM CELLS: GM-CSF ENHANCES SPERM MOTILITY. Vilanova, Lourdes1,3, Rauch, M. Cecilia1, Zambrano, Angara1, Brito, Mónica1, Werner, Enrique1, Alfaro, Víctor2, Cox, José2, Concha, Ilona1, 1 Instituto de Bioquímica, Universidad Austral de Chile, Valdivia, Chile3 Facultad de Ciencias Veterinarias, Universidad Centroccidental Lisandro Alvarado, Barquisimeto, Venezuela2 Facultad de Medicina Veterinaria, Universidad de Concepción, Chillán, Chile ABSTRACT- The granulocyte-macrophage colony stimulating factor (GM-CSF) is a pleiotropic cytokine capable of stimulating proliferation, maturation and function of hematopoietic cells. Receptors for this cytokine are composed of two subunits -alpha and beta- and are expressed on myeloid progenitors and mature mononuclear phagocytes, monocytes, eosinophils and neutrophils, as well as in other non hematopoietic cells. We have recently demonstrated that bull spermatozoa express functional GM-CSF receptors that signal for increased glucose and vitamin C uptake. In this study, we analyzed the expression of GM-CSF in bovine and human germ cells and its influence in bovine sperm motility. RT-PCR, in situ hybridization and immunoblotting analysis demonstrated that adult bovine and human testes expressed GM-CSF. Immunolocalization studies showed the level of expression of GM-CSF in the germ cell line in bovine and human testes. Computer-assisted evaluation of patterns of sperm motility demonstrated that the addition of GM-CSF enhances sperm motility in the presence of glucose or fructose substrates. All together these findings represent a key for the better understanding of sperm physiology. (Financed by FONDECYT 199-0994 to IC, FUNDAYACUCHO). KEY WORDS: GM-CSF, sperm physiology, sperm motility |
