Capacitation of human spermatozoa by heparin.
Zona-free hamster oocytes were incubated in vitro with human spermatozoa treated with heparin for 5, 10, 20, and 30 min. Sperm penetration was observed 2, 4, and 8 h after insemination. Sperm penetration was successful in 40%, 60%, and 69% of the oocytes treated for 10 min with heparin. Feminine and masculine pronuclei were clearly identifiable. In these samples, 80% of the sperm was alive and there was approximately 68% progress motility. Live sperm were observed for up to 24 h. Since glycosamineglycan sulfates are normally present in the ooplasm, zona pellucida, follicular and uterine fluids, this might suggest a direct participation of heparin in human sperm capacitation.
D000818:Animals; D006224:Cricetinae; D005260:Female; D005307:Fertilization in Vitro / Q000187:drug effects; D006025:Glycosaminoglycans / Q000502:physiology; D006493:Heparin / Q000494:pharmacology*; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008647:Mesocricetus; D009865:Oocytes / Q000648:ultrastructure; D013075:Sperm Capacitation / Q000187:drug effects*; D013084:Sperm-Ovum Interactions / Q000187:drug effects
D006025:Glycosaminoglycans; D006493:Heparin