Objective: To identify the DAZL transcript and protein location in human spermatozoa.
Design: In vitro experiment.
Setting: University-based reproductive genetics laboratory.
Patient(s): A fertile volunteer.
Intervention(s): Reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR), Western blot, and immunostaining for DAZL.
Main outcome measure(s): Expression of DAZL in human spermatozoa.
Result(s): The DAZL-specific primers yield a 128 bp product in ejaculate. A protein of approximately 33.5 kDa was detected by Western blot analysis. Immunofluorescence staining showed strong homogeneous staining in the midpiece of spermatozoa and weak staining in the principal piece. A speckled-type distribution was found in the head region.
Conclusion(s): The DAZL transcript and protein are present in human spermatozoa. The roles of DAZL protein in sperm motility and in the sperm-oocyte interaction await further investigation.