title: Flow cytometric evaluation of the acrosome reaction of human spermatozoa: a new method using a photoactivated supravital stain.
abstract: A flow cytometric assay using a double-stain method for the measurement of the acrosome reaction of human spermatozoa is described. The use of a stable photoactivated stain, ethidium monoazide, allowed evaluation of the viability of spermatozoa. This stain was more stable in fixed samples than propidium iodide, which is not bound covalently to DNA and is therefore removed readily during the washing procedure. The permeabilized acrosome was labelled with Pisum sativum agglutinin conjugated with fluoroisothiocyanate. Since this lectin binds to the acrosome and acrosomal contents, a decrease in the fluorescence intensity allows the cytometric evaluation of the acrosome reaction. Microscopic analysis and flow cytometric analysis were well correlated and cell sorting was performed to ensure the homogeneity of each different subpopulation encountered.
authors.affiliation: Maisonneuve-Rosemont Hospital Research Center, Université de Montréal, Canada.
authors.forename: N
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Henley
authors.forename: C
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Baron
authors.forename: K D
authors.initials: KD
authors.lastname: Roberts
mesh_terms: D000177:Acrosome / Q000502:physiology*; D001386:Azides; D005434:Flow Cytometry; D006801:Humans; D037102:Lectins; D008297:Male; D008856:Microscopy, Fluorescence; D037121:Plant Lectins; D011419:Propidium; D013094:Spermatozoa / Q000502:physiology; D013194:Staining and Labeling
chemical_list: D001386:Azides; D037102:Lectins; D037121:Plant Lectins; C036292:pea lectin; D011419:Propidium; C014535:8-azidoethidium