Effects of human follicular fluid on spermatozoa that have been cocultured with human oviductal cells.
OBJECTIVE
To investigate the sequential effects of human oviductal cells and human follicular fluid (hFF) on various sperm functions.


METHODS
Laboratory experimental study.


METHODS
University gynecology unit.


METHODS
Fallopian tubes were from patients undergoing tubal ligation or hysterectomy. Semen was from men attending the subfertility clinics.


METHODS
Spermatozoa were treated with [1] 6 hours in Earle's balanced salt solution (EBSS-BSA; control); [2] 5 hours in EBSS-BSA and 1 hour with hFF (hFF); [3] 5 hours with oviductal cells and 1 hour in EBSS-BSA (coculture); and [4] 5 hours with oviductal cells and 1 hour with hFF (sequential).


METHODS
Motility, acrosome reaction, zona binding, and oocyte fusion.


RESULTS
Groups II and III spermatozoa had similar motility and were better than that of group I. Group IV displayed higher motility parameters than the other groups. Human follicular fluid induced acrosome reaction. The incidence of acrosome reaction in group IV was significantly lower than that in group II. Group III did not affect the acrosome reaction. Spermatozoa in groups II-IV had lower zona binding capacity than those in group I. Human follicular fluid stimulated oocyte penetration, whereas oviductal cells suppressed this effect of hFF.


CONCLUSIONS
Oviductal cells maintained the fertilizing capacity of spermatozoa, whereas hFF facilitated the fertilization process of oviductal spermatozoa.
Yao
Y
Y
Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, Tangdu Hospital, Xian, China.
Ho
P
P
Yeung
W S
WS
D020101:Acrosome Reaction; D018920:Coculture Techniques; D005187:Fallopian Tubes / Q000166:cytology*; D005260:Female; D015571:Follicular Fluid / Q000502:physiology*; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D013081:Sperm Motility / Q000502:physiology; D013084:Sperm-Ovum Interactions; D013094:Spermatozoa / Q000166:cytology / Q000502:physiology*; D015044:Zona Pellucida / Q000378:metabolism