Dynamics of human sperm acrosome reaction: relation with in vitro fertilization.
OBJECTIVE
Acrosomal status has been studied on human sperm prepared for in vitro fertilization (IVF) and related to the rate of fertilization.


METHODS
A group of 41 men with normal classical semen parameters, included in the IVF program of University of Nice for feminine tubal obstruction (n = 37) or unexplained infertility (n = 4), were evaluated in a prospective study and compared with a control group of 10 fertile donors.


METHODS
Evaluation of acrosome status (spontaneous and A23187-induced acrosome loss) after 6 hours incubation in Ménézo's B2 medium was made by flow cytometry on suspended cells with a new immunofluorescence test recently reported by the authors based on a monoclonal antibody GB24.


RESULTS
Spontaneous acrosome loss remained low even after 6 hours capacitation (mean + 1 SD, 6.5% + 4.9%). Response to A23187 increased with the duration of preincubation with a marked response after 6 hours (29.5% + 8.9%). Low spontaneous acrosome loss (less than mean + 1 SD) and high response to A23187 (greater than mean - 1 SD) were observed in 25 out of 26 cases of group A with a high fertilization rate (greater than 50% fertilized oocytes). A high level of spontaneous acrosome loss and/or a lack of response to A23187 was observed in 2 of 7 cases of group B (fertilization rate less than 50%) and 6 of 8 cases of group C (unexplained unsuccessful fertilization).


CONCLUSIONS
Impaired acrosomal status can be associated with unexplained unsuccessful fertilization.
Fénichel
P
P
Institut National de la Santé et de la Recherche Médicale (INSERM U210), Faculté de Médecine de Nice, France.
Donzeau
M
M
Farahifar
D
D
Basteris
B
B
Ayraud
N
N
Hsi
B L
BL
D000177:Acrosome / Q000187:drug effects / Q000502:physiology*; D000001:Calcimycin / Q000494:pharmacology; D005307:Fertilization in Vitro; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D011446:Prospective Studies; D013075:Sperm Capacitation; D013094:Spermatozoa / Q000502:physiology*
D000001:Calcimycin