The kinetics of the acrosome reaction of human spermatozoa and its correlation with in vitro fertilization.
OBJECTIVE
To study the reaction pattern of acrosome reaction in human semen and correlate it to the results of in vitro fertilization (IVF).


METHODS
The percentage of acrosome-reacted spermatozoa of 41 IVF semen samples was determined after 0, 2, 4, and 24 hours of incubation in human tubal fluid medium supplemented with 10% human pool serum.


METHODS
St. Radboud Hospital, Catholic University of Nijmegen, The Netherlands.


METHODS
Forty-one IVF couples.


METHODS
None.


METHODS
Acrosome reaction was determined using fluorescein isothiocyanate conjugated concanavalin A lectin. To avoid false-positive signals from dead spermatozoa, the sperm viability was determined.


RESULTS
Three kinetic patterns of acrosome reaction could be distinguished: (1) normal reacting pattern (percentage of acrosome-reacted spermatozoa less than 10% at 2 hours and greater than 5% at 4 hours; 75% fertilization in IVF); (2) a quickly reacting pattern (percentage of acrosome-reacted spermatozoa greater than 10% at 2 hours; 22% fertilization in IVF); and (3) a nonreacting pattern (percentage of acrosome-reacted spermatozoa less than 5% at all time intervals studied; 15% fertilization in IVF).


CONCLUSIONS
The timing of acrosome reaction and the percentage of acrosome-reacted spermatozoa are very important parameters in IVF.
Takahashi
K
K
Laboratory of Endocrinology and Reproduction, St. Radbound Hospital, Catholic University Nijmegen, The Netherlands.
Wetzels
A M
AM
Goverde
H J
HJ
Bastaans
B A
BA
Janssen
H J
HJ
Rolland
R
R
D000177:Acrosome / Q000502:physiology*; D000704:Analysis of Variance; D004715:Endometriosis / Q000503:physiopathology; D005260:Female; D005307:Fertilization in Vitro; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D012661:Semen / Q000502:physiology; D013084:Sperm-Ovum Interactions; D013094:Spermatozoa / Q000502:physiology*