Acrosome reaction of human spermatozoa in zona-free hamster egg penetration test.
The acrosomal status of human sperm during preparation for the process of zona-free hamster egg penetration test (ZFHEPT) was determined. The incidence of acrosome reaction (AR), as assessed by triple-stain technique, was significantly increased after 24 hours of incubation at 4 degrees C in TES-Tris (TEST)-yolk buffer, but the absolute values were relatively low (20% or less). Sperm from fertile donors and infertile patients with normal or abnormal semen analysis displayed similar capacity to undergo the AR in vitro. Although a positive correlation was found between the incidence of AR and the score of ZFHEPT, a remarkable individual variation was noted. The incidence of AR in freely swimming human sperm does not accurately reflect the fertilizing ability of the sperm.
Yang
Y S
YS
Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, University of California, Irvine, Orange 92668.
Rojas
F J
FJ
Stone
S C
SC
D000177:Acrosome / Q000502:physiology*; D000818:Animals; D006224:Cricetinae; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007248:Infertility, Male / Q000503:physiopathology; D008297:Male; D008647:Mesocricetus; D013075:Sperm Capacitation; D013084:Sperm-Ovum Interactions; D013094:Spermatozoa / Q000502:physiology*