ISSN:
0148-7280
Keywords:
sperm
;
acrosome reaction
;
glycosaminoglycans
;
Life and Medical Sciences
;
Cell & Developmental Biology
Source:
Wiley InterScience Backfile Collection 1832-2000
Topics:
Biology
Notes:
Rabbit-ejaculated spermatozoa were incubated in a chemically defined medium containing comercially available glycosaminoglycans (GAGs) at concentrations ranging from 0.1 to 100 μg/ml. Sperm were stained and examined for the degree of acrosome reaction and viability after 9 h of incubation. There were significant dose and treatment effects of the induction of the acrosome reaction. Viability did not differ significantly betweendoses or treatment. Heparin enhanced the acrosome reaction between concentrations of 0.1 to 1.0 μg/ml, whereas higher levels depressed the percentage of sperm undergoing the acrosome reaction. Seminal plasma added to sperm cultures depressed the stimulatory effect of GAGs. Treatment of chondroitin-4-sulfate with chondro-4-sulfatase prohibited the stimulatory effect. It is concluded that GAGs, components of the female reproductive tract, may promote the acrosome reaction so that successful fertilization can occur.
Additional Material:
3 Ill.
Type of Medium:
Electronic Resource
URL:
http://dx.doi.org/10.1002/mrd.1120080103
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