title: A new method for evaluation of the acrosome reaction in viable human spermatozoa.
abstract: The acrosome reaction of human spermatozoa was induced by changes of temperature. Spermatozoa were collected from fertile donors and a patient group, and selected by the "swim-up" method. The spermatozoa were treated in two different ways: Protocol I: 24 hours at room temperature followed by additional incubation at 37 degrees C for 3 hours (control), and protocol II: 24 hours at 4 degrees C followed by additional incubation at 37 degrees C for 3 hours. The acrosome reaction of the viable spermatozoa was evaluated by a new method utilizing indirect immunofluorescence with anti-outer acrosomal membrane antibodies and exposure to a hypo-osmotic medium. In fertile donors as well as in the patient group, significant induction of the acrosome reaction (20%) was evident after exposure to low temperature (4 degrees C). The spontaneous rate of acrosome reaction in the control group was below 7%.
authors.affiliation: Department of Dermatology, Ludwig Maximilians University, Munich, Germany.
authors.forename: R
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Sanchez
authors.forename: E
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Toepfer-Petersen
authors.forename: R J
authors.initials: RJ
authors.lastname: Aitken
authors.forename: W B
authors.initials: WB
authors.lastname: Schill
mesh_terms: D000177:Acrosome / Q000502:physiology*; D002469:Cell Separation; D002470:Cell Survival; D005455:Fluorescent Antibody Technique; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008722:Methods; D009997:Osmotic Pressure; D013081:Sperm Motility; D013094:Spermatozoa / Q000166:cytology; D013194:Staining and Labeling; D013696:Temperature