El objetivo de este trabajo ha sido evaluar la capacitación y reacción acrosómica de espermatozoides de verraco eyaculados lavados a través de un gradiente de percoll y no lavados e incubados en medio de fecundación M199 suplementado con progesterona o con complejos cumulus-ovocito así como la penetración espermática de estos con ovocitos homólogos madurados in vitro. La determinación de la capacitación se realizó mediante el uso de lectinas (PNA, SJA y ECA) y citometría de flujo. Los resultados mostraron que la progesterona posee efecto protector sobre la vitalidad espermática y los mayores porcentajes de reacción acrosómica ocurren ente los 45-90 minutos de incubación, En cuanto a la penetración espermática no hubo diferencias entre espermatozoides lavados y no lavados. / The purpose of the present study was to evaluate the sperm capacitation and acrosome reaction of spermatozoa washed in Percoll and unwashed undergo in an in vitro incubation system with progesterone or cumulus-oocyte and the penetration rate in homologous oocytes matured in vitro. The evaluation was done with lectin (PNA, SJA and ECA) and flow cytometry. The results shown that progesterone had a protective effect on sperm vitality and the highest percentages of acrosome reaction were obtained between 45-90 minutes of incubation. The penetration rate was similar between washed and unwashed spermatozoa.

La capacitación es un proceso fisiológico que el espermatozoide debe experimentar para que la fecundación del ovocito tenga lugar. Este proceso se encuentra regulado en el espermatozoide por diferentes vías moleculares, varias de las cuales, a día de hoy, se desconocen o no están totalmente dilucidadas. Estos eventos moleculares que acontecen en el espermatozoide durante el proceso de capacitación están condicionados por distintos factores que rodean su entorno, entre los cuales podemos destacar el ambiente epididimario, el plasma seminal o las secreciones del aparato reproductor femenino como el fluido oviductal. El objetivo principal de este trabajo fue analizar el comportamiento de espermatozoides epididimarios-EP (en contacto con el fluido epididimario y no con el plasma seminal) y eyaculados-EY (en contacto con el plasma seminal) sometidos a 3 tratamientos diferentes: 1) Espermatozoides no tratados (grupo control-C); 2) Lavados a través de gradientes de Percoll e incubados en medio de capacitación TALP (grupo lavados-L); 3) Espermatozoides lavados e incubados en Fluido Oviductal Porcino (grupo FOP).

A técnica de inseminação artificial (IA) por laparoscopia em ovinos foi utilizada pela primeira vez em 1982, o que tornou viável a utilização econômica do sêmen congelado nesta espécie. Os experimentos foram realizados com o objetivo de determinar as taxas de prenhez de ovelhas inseminadas por laparoscopia, utilizando 50 x 106 espermatozóides descongelados e capacitados in vitro. No experimento 1, foi utilizado sêmen de um reprodutor e 67 ovelhas com estros sincronizados, divididas aleatoriamente entre os grupos: sêmen congelado (SC1) e sêmen congelado capacitado in vitro (SCC1). As ovelhas foram submetidas à IA, com 50x106 espermatozóides, 56 e 60 horas, respectivamente, após a retirada das esponjas impregnadas com progesterona. No grupo SCC1, a taxa de prenhez foi de 48,39% (15/31) significativamente superior a do grupo SC1 de 25% (9/36). No experimento 2, utilizou-se um reprodutor e 100 ovelhas com os estros sincronizados, distribuídas aleatoriamente entre três grupos: sêmen fresco (SF2), SC2 e SCC2. Nos grupos SF2 e SC2 as fêmeas foram inseminadas com 100x106 espermatozóides e 56 horas após a retirada da progesterona. No grupo das fêmeas inseminadas com espermatozóides capacitados in vitro, utilizou-se 50x106 espermatozóides e um intervalo de 60 horas após retirada da progesterona. As taxas de prenhez diagnosticadas nos diferentes grupos experimentais foram: SF2 60,9% (25/41), SC2 56,70% (17/30) e SCC2 44,90% (13/29), não existindo diferença estatística entre os grupos. Os experimentos realizados mostraram a viabilidade doemprego, na espécie ovina, da IA por laparoscopia utilizando 50x106 espermatozóides descongelados e capacitados in vitro. / The ovine artificial insemination (AI) by laparoscopy was described the first time in 1982, since this time frozen semen became a tool for use under field conditions. Today one research goal is to achieve high preganancies rates after AI using a reduced number of frozen/thawed spermatozoa per dosis. The experiments were carried out with the objective to determine the pregnancy rate of ewes inseminated by laparoscopy, using 50 x 106 thawed and in vitro capacited spermatozoa. In the experiment 1 was used semen of one fertily ram and 67 ewes with synchronized estrus. The females were randomly distributed among two experimental groups: inseminated with frozen semen (SC1) or frozen and in vitro capacitated semen (SCC1). The ewes were submitted to the AI with 50x106 spermatozoa, 56 (SC1) or 60 (SCC1) hours, respectively, after retreat of the intra vaginal device impregnated with progesterona. In the group SCC1 the pregnancy rate was 48,39% (15/31) significantly different from the 25% (9/36) observed in the group SC1. In the experiment 2 was used one fertily ram and 100 ewes with synchronized estrus, distributed randomly among three groups: inseminated with fresh semen (SF2), 100 x 106 spermatozoa, SC2, 100 x 106 frozen spermatozoa and SCC2, 50 x 106 frozen and in vitro capacited spermatozoa. The moment of the laparoscopic AI was the same as used in the experiment 1: 56 (SF2 and SC2) or 60 (SCC2) hours, respectively, after retreat of the intra vaginal device impregnated with progesterona. The observed pregnancy rates were similar among the experimental groups: SF2 60,9% (25/41), SC2 56,70% (17/30) and SCC2 44,90% (13/29). Our experiments showed the ability of frozen/thawed and in vitro capacitated ovine spermatozoa to in vivo fertilize and promote the development of pregancies. In conclusion, itis possible to use 50x106 frozen/thawed and in vitro capacited spermatozoa for ovine laparoscopic AI.

A técnica de inseminação artificial (IA) por laparoscopia em ovinos foi utilizada pela primeira vez em 1982, o que tornou viável a utilização econômica do sêmen congelado nesta espécie. Os experimentos foram realizados com o objetivo de determinar as taxas de prenhez de ovelhas inseminadas por laparoscopia, utilizando 50 x 106 espermatozóides descongelados e capacitados in vitro. No experimento 1, foi utilizado sêmen de um reprodutor e 67 ovelhas com estros sincronizados, divididas aleatoriamente entre os grupos: sêmen congelado (SC1) e sêmen congelado capacitado in vitro (SCC1). As ovelhas foram submetidas à IA, com 50x106 espermatozóides, 56 e 60 horas, respectivamente, após a retirada das esponjas impregnadas com progesterona. No grupo SCC1, a taxa de prenhez foi de 48,39% (15/31) significativamente superior a do grupo SC1 de 25% (9/36). No experimento 2, utilizou-se um reprodutor e 100 ovelhas com os estros sincronizados, distribuídas aleatoriamente entre três grupos: sêmen fresco (SF2), SC2 e SCC2. Nos grupos SF2 e SC2 as fêmeas foram inseminadas com 100x106 espermatozóides e 56 horas após a retirada da progesterona. No grupo das fêmeas inseminadas com espermatozóides capacitados in vitro, utilizou-se 50x106 espermatozóides e um intervalo de 60 horas após retirada da progesterona. As taxas de prenhez diagnosticadas nos diferentes grupos experimentais foram: SF2 60,9% (25/41), SC2 56,70% (17/30) e SCC2 44,90% (13/29), não existindo diferença estatística entre os grupos. Os experimentos realizados mostraram a viabilidade doemprego, na espécie ovina, da IA por laparoscopia utilizando 50x106 espermatozóides descongelados e capacitados in vitro. / The ovine artificial insemination (AI) by laparoscopy was described the first time in 1982, since this time frozen semen became a tool for use under field conditions. Today one research goal is to achieve high preganancies rates after AI using a reduced number of frozen/thawed spermatozoa per dosis. The experiments were carried out with the objective to determine the pregnancy rate of ewes inseminated by laparoscopy, using 50 x 106 thawed and in vitro capacited spermatozoa. In the experiment 1 was used semen of one fertily ram and 67 ewes with synchronized estrus. The females were randomly distributed among two experimental groups: inseminated with frozen semen (SC1) or frozen and in vitro capacitated semen (SCC1). The ewes were submitted to the AI with 50x106 spermatozoa, 56 (SC1) or 60 (SCC1) hours, respectively, after retreat of the intra vaginal device impregnated with progesterona. In the group SCC1 the pregnancy rate was 48,39% (15/31) significantly different from the 25% (9/36) observed in the group SC1. In the experiment 2 was used one fertily ram and 100 ewes with synchronized estrus, distributed randomly among three groups: inseminated with fresh semen (SF2), 100 x 106 spermatozoa, SC2, 100 x 106 frozen spermatozoa and SCC2, 50 x 106 frozen and in vitro capacited spermatozoa. The moment of the laparoscopic AI was the same as used in the experiment 1: 56 (SF2 and SC2) or 60 (SCC2) hours, respectively, after retreat of the intra vaginal device impregnated with progesterona. The observed pregnancy rates were similar among the experimental groups: SF2 60,9% (25/41), SC2 56,70% (17/30) and SCC2 44,90% (13/29). Our experiments showed the ability of frozen/thawed and in vitro capacitated ovine spermatozoa to in vivo fertilize and promote the development of pregancies. In conclusion, itis possible to use 50x106 frozen/thawed and in vitro capacited spermatozoa for ovine laparoscopic AI.

Orientador: Sony Dimas Bicudo / Banca: Rui Machado / Banca: Jairo Pereira Neves / Banca: César Roberto Esper / Banca: Cezinande de Meira / Resumo: Objetivando testar a ação do colesterol, desmosterol, ácido oléico-linoléico ou Q-Iactoalbumina sobre os espermatozóides ovinos, alíquotas de sêmen de 25 carneiros foram submetidas à criopreservação após tratamento com essas substâncias. O sêmen foi avaliado antes do processamento e após a refrigeração, descongelação e incubação quanto à, cinética pela análise subjetiva e computadorizada (CASA), morfologia, avaliação simultânea da integridade da membrana plasmática (IMP) e do acrossomo (IAC) e do potencial de membrana mitocondrial (PMM) pela associação da aglutinina de Pisum sativum conjugada ao isotiocianato de fluoresceína (FITC-PSA), iodeto de propídio (PI) e JC-1 e, status de capacitação pela c10rtetraciclina (CTC). A influência dos aditivos em poucos parâmetros não foi suficiente para sugerir a superioridade de qualquer um dos tratamentos. A criopreservação provocou prejuízos à cinética, IMP, IAC, PMM, além de induzir a capacitação e reação do acrossomo. Foram observadas diferenças entre grupos de carneiros quanto ao status de capacitação no sêmen in natura, assim como na sensibilidade desse sêmen à crioinjúria e criocapacitação. Após a descongelação, as mudanças semelhantes à capacitação foram maiores nos animais de menor IMP. A segregação dos carneiros de acordo com a crioresistência da membrana plasmática norteou o comportamento de vários outros parâmetros. Conclui-se, que o colesterol, desmosterol, ácido oléico-linoléico e alactoalbumina não protegem o sêmen ovino contra as crioinjúrias, que a congelação-descongelação é mais danosa que a refrigeração e, que existem diferenças entre grupos de indivíduos relacionadas à crioresistência e criocapacitação espermática. / Abstract: In order to evaluate the proteeting aetion of some substanceson ram spermatozoa, semen samples of 25 rams were colleeted and submitted to cryopreservation after treatment with cholesterol, desmosterol, oleic-linoleic acid or Q-Iactalbumin. Before the processing and after the procedures of cooling, freezing-thawing and incubation, semen was evaluated as to kínetcs by subjective and computerized analyses (CASA), morphology, simultaneously to plasma membrane integrity (PMI), acrosome integrity (ACI) and mitochondrial membrane potential (MMP) by isothiocyanate-conjugated Pisum sativum (FITCPSA), propidium iodide (PI) and JC-1 combination and as to sperm capacitation and acrosome reaction determined by chlortetracycline (CTC) assay. The influence resulted from the additives in a few parameters was not enough to suggest the superiority of any treatments. The cryopreservation process, especially the freezing-thawing, promotes damages to kinetics, PMI, ACI, MMP and induees accelerated eapacitation and acrosome reaction in spermatozoa. Differenees among groups of rams were observed regarding capacitation status in fresh semen as well as the sensibility of their semen to cryoinjury and cryocapacitation. Higher and more accelerated capacitation-like ehanges were observed in groups of rams presenting lower plasmatic membrane cryoresistance after thawing. The segregation of rams in different levels of PMI influenced the behavior of several other parameters. It was concluded that cholesterol, desmosterol, oleic-Iinoleic acid and Q-Iactalbumin do not protect the ram semen against the cryoinjuries as well as freezing-thawing is more harmful than cooling. Important differenees among groups of individuais were noticed as for the spermatozoa resistance to the damages provoked by cryopreservation such as the eryocapacitation susceptibility. / Doutor

A técnica de inseminação artificial (IA) por laparoscopia em ovinos foi utilizada pela primeira vez em 1982, o que tornou viável a utilização econômica do sêmen congelado nesta espécie. Os experimentos foram realizados com o objetivo de determinar as taxas de prenhez de ovelhas inseminadas por laparoscopia, utilizando 50 x 106 espermatozóides descongelados e capacitados in vitro. No experimento 1, foi utilizado sêmen de um reprodutor e 67 ovelhas com estros sincronizados, divididas aleatoriamente entre os grupos: sêmen congelado (SC1) e sêmen congelado capacitado in vitro (SCC1). As ovelhas foram submetidas à IA, com 50x106 espermatozóides, 56 e 60 horas, respectivamente, após a retirada das esponjas impregnadas com progesterona. No grupo SCC1, a taxa de prenhez foi de 48,39% (15/31) significativamente superior a do grupo SC1 de 25% (9/36). No experimento 2, utilizou-se um reprodutor e 100 ovelhas com os estros sincronizados, distribuídas aleatoriamente entre três grupos: sêmen fresco (SF2), SC2 e SCC2. Nos grupos SF2 e SC2 as fêmeas foram inseminadas com 100x106 espermatozóides e 56 horas após a retirada da progesterona. No grupo das fêmeas inseminadas com espermatozóides capacitados in vitro, utilizou-se 50x106 espermatozóides e um intervalo de 60 horas após retirada da progesterona. As taxas de prenhez diagnosticadas nos diferentes grupos experimentais foram: SF2 60,9% (25/41), SC2 56,70% (17/30) e SCC2 44,90% (13/29), não existindo diferença estatística entre os grupos. Os experimentos realizados mostraram a viabilidade doemprego, na espécie ovina, da IA por laparoscopia utilizando 50x106 espermatozóides descongelados e capacitados in vitro. / The ovine artificial insemination (AI) by laparoscopy was described the first time in 1982, since this time frozen semen became a tool for use under field conditions. Today one research goal is to achieve high preganancies rates after AI using a reduced number of frozen/thawed spermatozoa per dosis. The experiments were carried out with the objective to determine the pregnancy rate of ewes inseminated by laparoscopy, using 50 x 106 thawed and in vitro capacited spermatozoa. In the experiment 1 was used semen of one fertily ram and 67 ewes with synchronized estrus. The females were randomly distributed among two experimental groups: inseminated with frozen semen (SC1) or frozen and in vitro capacitated semen (SCC1). The ewes were submitted to the AI with 50x106 spermatozoa, 56 (SC1) or 60 (SCC1) hours, respectively, after retreat of the intra vaginal device impregnated with progesterona. In the group SCC1 the pregnancy rate was 48,39% (15/31) significantly different from the 25% (9/36) observed in the group SC1. In the experiment 2 was used one fertily ram and 100 ewes with synchronized estrus, distributed randomly among three groups: inseminated with fresh semen (SF2), 100 x 106 spermatozoa, SC2, 100 x 106 frozen spermatozoa and SCC2, 50 x 106 frozen and in vitro capacited spermatozoa. The moment of the laparoscopic AI was the same as used in the experiment 1: 56 (SF2 and SC2) or 60 (SCC2) hours, respectively, after retreat of the intra vaginal device impregnated with progesterona. The observed pregnancy rates were similar among the experimental groups: SF2 60,9% (25/41), SC2 56,70% (17/30) and SCC2 44,90% (13/29). Our experiments showed the ability of frozen/thawed and in vitro capacitated ovine spermatozoa to in vivo fertilize and promote the development of pregancies. In conclusion, itis possible to use 50x106 frozen/thawed and in vitro capacited spermatozoa for ovine laparoscopic AI.

Orientador: Sergio Ferreira do Amaral / Dissertação (mestrado) - Universidade Estadual de Campinas, Faculdade de Educação / Made available in DSpace on 2018-08-06T17:37:55Z (GMT). No. of bitstreams: 1 Soares_SuelydeBritoClemente_M.pdf: 3054401 bytes, checksum: cd2e0f99737bba659b02cd2888a23b3f (MD5) Previous issue date: 2006 / Resumo: O uso do ciberespaço para fins educacionais, no Brasil, ainda se encontra pouco explorado, para capacitação de profissionais da informação, através da educação continuada não presencial. A partir desse pressuposto, foi desenvolvida uma pesquisa na abordagem qualitativa, classificada na categoria de explicativa e no delineamento ¿quase-experimental¿. O objetivo do estudo foi criar, desenvolver e observar as interações de uma comunidade de aprendizagem colaborativa no ciberespaço, constituída por bibliotecários de referência, de bibliotecas universitárias, interessados na aplicação das TICs ao seu fazer diário, os quais foram convidados a participar como sujeitos dessa pesquisa, através de mensagens em listas de discussão da área. A proposta oferecida foi a participação espontânea e gratuita, durante o segundo semestre de 2003, em uma comunidade on-line intitulada ¿CiberEduc¿, construída no ambiente TelEduc da UNICAMP. Um vídeo de apresentação do CiberEduc ficou disponível aos interessados, no cameraweb da UNICAMP, para ser assistido via internet. Os 118 inscritos ativos, pesquisadora e orientador, formaram uma comunidade de 120 cibereducandos, oriundos de Brasília, DF e de 12 Estados brasileiros. O CiberEduc foi estruturado a partir de uma agenda que remetia a 14 diferentes atividades. Uma entrevista inicial e outra final foram, respectivamente, a primeira e a última atividade. Os dados coletados e analisados oferecem uma visão das interações das pessoas com o ambiente, das pessoas entre si, e das contribuições dadas ao CiberEduc, tais como: divulgação de arquivos pessoais, dúvidas, críticas, sugestões, questionamentos. O número de acessos ao CiberEduc foi 2.081. A somatória de freqüência a todas as funcionalidades do ambiente foi 13.140. Os capítulos descrevem a formatação das funcionalidades do ambiente, o desenvolvimento da comunidade CiberEduc e algumas contribuições para o conhecimento científico sobre comunidades on-line de aprendizagem colaborativa. Pela quantidade e qualidade das interações demonstradas nos resultados obtidos, as considerações finais comprovam que foi desenvolvida, de fato, uma comunidade virtual de aprendizagem colaborativa das TICs / Abstract: It's already unusual in Brazil the exploration of cyberspace for educational purposes, specially regarding to ability professionals of information through the remote long living education. After that presupposition this research was developed through qualitative approach. It can be classified at explicative level and labeled as almost experimental methodology. The purpose of this study was to build to develop and to observe the interactions at cyberspace a collaborative learning community with brazilian universities reference librarians self-interested in the ICT applied to their daily work, wich were invited to participate as subjects of this research by posted messages in their discussion lists. The proposal offered to them was spontaneous and free participation during the second semester of 2003 at a virtual community called ¿CyberEduc¿. It was built at UNICAMP's TelEduc virtual environment. A CyberEduc's presentation video was available UNICAMP's cameraweb to be watched via internet.The 118 active subscribers with the researcher and her adviser shaped a community of 120 cyberstudents who became from Brasilia, DF and 12 brazilian's states. The CyberEduc was structured around an agenda that pointed out to 14 different activities. An initial and another final interview was the first as well the last activity. The analyzed and caught data offered a vision over the subject's interactions with the environment and between themselves also the contributions gave to the CyberEduc like participating with their personal files, doubts, critics, suggestions and matters. The log number to the CyberEduc was 2081. The sum of all environment links access was 13140. It was described all discussed ICT. The chapters describe the environment tools configuration, the CyberEduc community developing and some additional contributions to the scientific knowledge about collaborative learning virtual communities. Because of quantity either quality of interactions happened, the final considerations witness that was developed, in fact, an online ICT's collaborative learning community / Resumen: En el Brasil aún no es muy usado el ciberespacio con fines educativos para la capacitación de los profesionales de la información, a través de la educación continua no presencial. Partiendo de este presupuesto, se desarrolló una investigación de tipo cualitativo, clasificada dentro de la categoría de explicativa y delineada como ¿casi experimental¿. El objetivo del estudio fue crear, desarrollar y observar las interacciones de una comunidad de aprendizaje cooperativa en el ciberespacio, constituida por bibliotecarios de referencia, de bibliotecas universitarias, interesados en la aplicación de las TICs en su trabajo diario. Ellos fueron invitados para participar como sujetos de la investigación, a través de mensajes en listas de discusión del área. La propuesta ofrecida fue la participación espontánea y gratuita, durante el segundo semestre de 2003, en una comunidad online llamada ¿CiberEduc¿, la cual fue construida en el ambiente TelEduc de la Unicamp. Un vídeo de presentación del CiberEduc quedó disponible para los interesados, en la cameraweb de la UNICAMP, para que pudiera ser visto vía Internet. Los 118 inscritos activos, la investigadora y su orientador formaron la comunidad de 120 cibereducados, originarios de Brasilia, DF y de 12 estados brasileños, El CiberEduc se estructuró a partir de una agenda que remitía a 14 actividades diferentes. Una entrevista inicial y otra al final fueron respectivamente, la primera y última actividad. Los datos colectados y analizados ofrecieron una visión de las interacciones de las personas con el ambiente, entre ellas mismas y de las contribuciones dadas al CiberEduc, tales como: divulgación de los archivos personales, dudas, críticas, sugestiones y cuestionamientos. EL número de accesos al CiberEduc fue de 2081. La suma de la frecuencia a todas las funciones dentro del ambiente fue de 13140. Los capítulos describen la formación de las funcionalidades y ambiente, el desarrollo de la comunidad CiberEduc y algunas contribuciones para el conocimiento científico sobre comunidades online de aprendizaje en colaboración. Por la cantidad y calidad de las interacciones demostradas en los resultados obtenidos, las consideraciones finales comprueban que fue desarrollada, de hecho, una comunidad de aprendizaje cooperativa online de las TICs / Mestrado / Educação, Ciencia e Tecnologia / Mestre em Educação

Cette thèse interroge les processus de construction de la réalité́ à l’oeuvre lors de l’émergence duproblème politique de l’autisme. Un mécanisme largement bottom-up s’est imposé, sousl’impulsion déterminante de « coalitions de causes » (notamment celle des associations deparents) qui ont opéré un véritable travail de capacitation et d’expertisation pour s’approprier destravaux de recherche, contester la légitimité du pouvoir médical, revendiquer des droits auprès despouvoirs publics en utilisant différentes armes, médiatiques, et judiciaires principalement.Expliquer pourquoi l’autisme est devenu un problème politique au milieu des années 1990 jusqu’àêtre reconnu « grande cause nationale » en 2012 suppose d’analyser, sur un temps long, lesprocessus qui changent le statut de l’autisme (d’un problème familial d’abord, social ensuite,politique enfin) et en définissent les traitements publics possibles. / This thesis questions the processes and mecanisms in the emergence of the political problem ofAutism in France. A bottom-up movement has emerged, thanks to the actions of "coalitions ofcauses" (especially those of parents' associations) which have carried out a work of empowerment,in order to appropriate the research work, legitimate themself against the medical power, and claimrights with the public authorities.This reasearch explore the reasons why Autism became a political issue in the mid-1990s untilbeing recognized as a "Great national cause" in 2012. It elaborate an analysis of the process thatchange the status of autism (family problem first, social problem then, and political problem at end)and define the possible public treatment.

Le développement du Capital Emotionnel pour un Mindful Management et une Qualité de Vie au Travail : une approche de la prévention des risques psycho-sociaux, du stress en particulier, par la psychologie positive et la thérapie de l’acceptation et de l’engagement (ACT) chez les apprentis aides-soignants et futurs personnels éducatifs / The development of Emotional Capital for Mindful Management and Quality of Life at Work: an approach to prevention of psychosocial risks, stress in particular, positive psychology via the acceptance and commitment therapy approach for apprentices carers and futur educators

Our research aims at understanding the roles of seminolipid (sulfogalactosylglycerolipid or SGG) and its associated membrane domains in male reproduction. SGG is a sulfoglycolipid present selectively and abundantly in mammalian male germ cells. Therefore, information on its properties would be relevant towards the development of male fertility biomarkers and spermicide-based contraceptives. We have shown that SGG has direct affinity for zona pellucida (ZP, egg extracellular matrix) and plays a role in the formation of sperm lipid rafts, the ZP-binding platforms on the sperm anterior head plasma membrane (APM), the initial ZP binding site. For a better understanding of mechanisms underlying sperm-ZP interaction, I performed proteomic characterization of APM vesicles (SGG-associated membrane domains with ZP affinity) isolated from sperm before and after capacitation, a process through which sperm gain maximal ZP affinity. Proteomic results revealed that capacitated APM vesicles contained high-molecular-weight protein complexes, with higher ZP affinity and levels of ZP-binding proteins as compared with those of the non-capacitated samples. ZP-binding proteins known to exist in the acrosome (i.e., zonadhesin, proacrosin/acrosin) were found in these APM protein complexes. Immunofluorescence suggested that a fraction of these proteins trafficked from the acrosome to APM during capacitation. These findings provided a new mechanism on how sperm gain full ZP-binding ability during capacitation. Since SGG is a major component of APM, proper SGG levels at this site would be important for male fertility. Levels of sperm SGG are regulated through the synthesis and degradation. In fact, lack of SGG-synthesis enzymes causes a spermatogenesis disruption, resulting in male infertility. However, significance of SGG degradation remains unknown. SGG can be desulfated in vitro by arylsulfatase A (ARSA), an enzyme existing in the acrosomes of sperm/spermatids and lysosomes of Sertoli cells, testicular somatic cells that nurture developing germ cells. Sertoli cells also phagocytose ~50% of germ cells that become apoptotic during spermatogenesis. To understand physiological importance of SGG degradation, the fertility status and SGG levels of Arsa-/- male mice were determined. We found that Arsa-/- males became subfertile when they were older than 5 months, and when they were 8-month-old (~40-year-old men) they produced sperm at 50% wild type rate. Arsa-/- sperm had minimal in vitro fertilizing ability and a number of them showed abnormal morphology. Quantitative mass spectrometry revealed that SGG levels in Sertoli cells of 8-month-old Arsa-/- mice were increased to ~250% of the wild type level; this SGG accumulation may lead to a decrease in Sertoli cell ability to support spermatogenesis. However, SGG levels in sperm of 8-month-old Arsa-/- mice were ~50% of the wild type value, a result that partly explained the decreased fertilizing ability of these sperm. The reduced SGG level of Arsa-/- sperm was likely due to a lack of SGG’s building-block lipid (palmitylpalmitoylglycerol) putatively generated in Arsa-/- Sertoli cells and recycled to the next generation of primary spermatocytes for SGG synthesis. Hence, levels of sperm SGG are a promising bioindex for male fertility. Since Sertoli cells also regulate SGG homeostasis, their functionality should be now included in male fertility/subfertility diagnosis.