Calcium ionophore-induced acrosome reaction correlates with fertilization rates in vitro in patients with teratozoospermic semen.
The aim of this study was to determine the relationship between calcium ionophore A23187-induced acrosome reaction (AR) and sperm fertilizing ability. Semen samples remaining after preparation for standard IVF were studied in 109 patients who had sperm concentrations > or =20 x 10(6)/ml. Ionophore-induced AR was performed on motile spermatozoa selected by centrifugation on a Percoll gradient. Semen analysis was performed using standard methods. Patients with higher (>50%, n = 76) fertilization rates had significantly higher ionophore-induced AR than patients with lower (<50%, n = 33) fertilization rates (49 +/- 14 versus 38 +/- 21%, P < 0.05). When the data from all patients were analysed by logistic regression, only the percentage sperm motility in insemination medium and ionophore-induced AR were significantly related to fertilization rates. Similar results were also obtained when the data from a subgroup of patients with poor (<15% normal) sperm morphology were analysed. However, when patients with normal sperm morphology > or =15% were analysed separately, only sperm count and the percentage of spermatozoa with progressive motility in semen were significantly related to fertilization rates. In conclusion, ionophore-induced AR was significantly related to fertilization rates in vitro mainly in patients with teratozoospermic semen. Tests for ionophore-induced AR may provide additional information about sperm fertilizing ability but may not indicate specific defects of the physiological AR.
Liu
D Y
DY
University of Melbourne Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, Royal Women's Hospital, Carlton, Victoria, Australia.
Baker
H W
HW
D000001:Calcimycin / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D005260:Female; D005306:Fertilization / Q000187:drug effects*; D005307:Fertilization in Vitro; D006801:Humans; D007248:Infertility, Male / Q000628:therapy*; D007476:Ionophores / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D008297:Male; D012661:Semen / Q000502:physiology*; D013084:Sperm-Ovum Interactions / Q000187:drug effects*; D013094:Spermatozoa / Q000002:abnormalities*; D017211:Treatment Failure
D007476:Ionophores; D000001:Calcimycin