Effect of hepatocyte growth factor on sperm motility

PROBLEM: Hepatocyte growth factor (HGF) exists abundantly in seminal plasma and its receptor, c-met, is expressed on spermatozoa. Considering its moto genic activity, we speculated that HGF might affect the movement ability of spermatozoa. METHODS: Recombinant HGF was added to washed spermatozoa and their movement s were analyzed using a computer-assisted sperm analyzer. The concentration of HGF in the seminal plasma of infertile patients (n = 83) was measured b y ELISA, and the data were compared with their hormonal profile and semen p arameters. RESULTS: The HCF physiological concentration (1 ng/mL) maintained the motil ity of sperm after a long incubation, though the difference was not statist ically significant. Recombinant HGF did not affect the linearity or frequen cy of movement, which suggested that it does not evoke the hyperactivation of spermatozoa. The concentration of HGF in seminal plasma did not correlat e with any clinical parameter of the patients. CONCLUSIONS: These findings contradict the theory that HGF controls the mov ement of sperm. The main role of this axis in the male reproductive system might be maturation in the epididymis.