Zona pellucida as physiological trigger for the induction of acrosome reaction
Date
1998
Authors
Henkel R.
Franken D.R.
Habenicht U.-F.
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Abstract
To evaluate the kinetics of acrosome reaction, sperm samples from four fertile donors were prepared by swim-up and incubated with solutions of human zonae containing 0.1, 0.15, 0.3, 0.5 and 1.0 zonae μl-1. After 20, 40 and 60 min of incubation at 37°C, aliquots were taken for evaluation of the acrosomal status. The results showed a distinct time- and dose dependence of the acrosome reaction induced by solubilized zona proteins. After 60 min of incubation in 1.0 zonae μl-1, about 80% of the spermatozoa showed signs of acrosomal loss; about 40% were completely acrosome-reacted. In addition, zona-bound sperm showed the same ratios of acrosome-reacted spermatozoa in control experiments. The velocity of acrosome reaction was calculated by means of a double-reciprocal plot being 2.0-2.5% min-1 for completely reacted spermatozoa and those showing signs of acrosome reaction. However, both subgroups differed considerably in their constants of equilibrium (K = 2.0 ZP μl-1 and K = 0.2 ZP μl-1, respectively). In nonreacted and partly reacted spermatozoa results might indicate a disturbed course of acrosome reaction or possibly the existence of different subpopulations in respect of sperm competition.
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Keywords
acrosome reaction, conference paper, controlled study, fertilization, human, human cell, male, signal transduction, spermatozoon, zona pellucida, Acrosome Reaction, Female, Humans, Male, Zona Pellucida
Citation
Andrologia
30
4-5
30
4-5