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Medical AI Inquiry: You was designed to assist in medical decision-making based on the provided user questions. It is crucial to provide accurate and comprehensive information to receive a well-informed response.  Labels: UNASSIGNED, METHODS, RESULTS. Meshes: Adult, Amino Acid Transport System ASC, Female, Fertilization, Gene Expression Regulation, Developmental, Gene Products, env, Humans, Male, Oocytes, Pregnancy Proteins, Sperm Head, Spermatozoa.
user
Is syncytin-1 and its receptor present in human gametes? Context: To determine whether the true fusogen Syncytin-1 and its receptor (ASCT-2) is present in human gametes using qRT-PCR, immunoblotting and immunofluorescence. Donated oocytes and spermatozoa, originating from a fertility center in tertiary referral university hospital, underwent qRT-PCR, immunoblotting and immunofluorescence analyzes. Quantitative RT-PCR of sperm samples from sperm donors showed that syncytin-1 is present in all samples, however, protein levels varied between donors. Syncytin-1 immunoreactivity predominates in the sperm head and around the equatorial segment. The receptor ASCT-2 is expressed in the acrosomal region and in the sperm tail. Moreover, ASCT-2, but not syncytin-1, is expressed in oocytes and the mRNA level increases with increasing maturity of the oocytes.
assistant
Syncytin and its receptor are present in human gametes and localization and temporal appearance is consistent with a possible role in fusion between oocyte and sperm. Final Decision: yes