The interaction of egg yolk and ram spermatozoa studied with a fluorescent probe.
The flourescent membrane marker, 1-anilinoaphtalene-8-sulphonate (ANS) was used to investigate the attachment of egg-yolk to the plasma membranes of ram spermatozoa. The degree of fluorescence was assessed using a subjective scoring system. It was found that egg yolk competes with ANS for sites on the plasma membrane. When the diluent contained 10% egg yolk, no ANS could be detected on the membranes. Egg yolk attached to the plasma membrane could be removed by washing twice with a yolk-free diluent. Loss of sperm motility in the presence of ANS was observed but some spermotozoa remained motile after incubation at 37 degrees C for 15 min with 2mM-ANS. Egg yolk protected spermatozoa against this loss of motility. It is suggested that egg yolk protects spermatozoa during chilling and freezing by its attachment to the sperm plasma membrane.
D000817:Anilino Naphthalenesulfonates; D000818:Animals; D001667:Binding, Competitive; D002462:Cell Membrane; D004530:Egg Yolk; D005260:Female; D005615:Freezing; D007202:Indicators and Reagents; D008297:Male; D008856:Microscopy, Fluorescence; D011309:Preservation, Biological; D012756:Sheep; D013094:Spermatozoa / Q000502:physiology*; D013223:Statistics as Topic
D000817:Anilino Naphthalenesulfonates; D007202:Indicators and Reagents