A recent study conducted by Hong Kong and Chinese Mainland scientists has revealed the first secret of sperm maturation,announced the Chinese University of Hong Kong (CUHK) on Monday.

The study has revealed that Bin1b, a -defensin gene found in the head region of the epididymis can bind to sperm head and induce progressive sperm motility in originally immotile immature sperm.

The investigation of the role of the novel epididymis-specific gene, Bin1b, is a collaborative project of the Epithelial Cell Biology Research Center of the Chinese University of Hong Kong with the Shanghai Institute of Biochemistry and Cell Biology of Chinese Academy of Sciences.

According to Director of CUHK's research center Professor Chan Hsiao-Chang, progressive movement of sperm is one of the fundamental changes associated with early process of sperm maturation. Thus, -defensin is the first molecule found in the epididymis that is involved in the initiation of sperm maturation.

This finding could be used as a biomarker for diagnosis of maleinfertility or for treatment and may lead to new researches. The findings also provide grounds for development of new contraceptive strategies, Chan said.

Studies on the detailed mechanisms how Bin1b interacts with sperm membrane proteins are already in the pipelines and plans to examine Bin1b expression in infertile patients are also in place, said Chan.

The Epithelial Cell Biology Research Center, established as a joint effort of the Academy of Military Medical Sciences and CUHK,is the first integrated research institution ever founded in China which is devoted to epithelial cell biology research.

(Xinhua News  Agency  May 4, 2004)