Effects of human follicular fluid on the capacitation and motility of human spermatozoa.
OBJECTIVE
To investigate the capacitation and motility kinetics of spermatozoa treated with human follicular fluid (FF).


METHODS
Controlled, experimental laboratory study.


METHODS
University-based gynecology unit.


METHODS
Human FF was collected from women undergoing assisted reproductive treatment. Semen samples were obtained from men visiting subfertility clinics.


METHODS
Spermatozoa were incubated with human FF under various experimental conditions. Spermatozoa incubated with Earle's balanced salt solution were used as the control.


METHODS
Chlortetracycline staining patterns and sperm motility parameters.


RESULTS
The rate of capacitation in the human FF-treated spermatozoa was significantly higher than that in the control spermatozoa after 1 hour and 3 hours of treatment. The percentage of acrosome-reacted spermatozoa also was significantly higher after human FF treatment than after control treatment. These effects of human FF were dose-dependent. Human FF-treated spermatozoa maintained their velocities at the zero-hour level for 5 hours, whereas the velocities of the control spermatozoa decreased significantly after 1 hour. Human FF treatment significantly increased the beat cross-frequency above the rate at zero hour for 5 hours. The hyperactivation of the human FF-treated spermatozoa remained stable for 3 hours, whereas that of the control spermatozoa decreased significantly after 1 hour of incubation. Significantly more human FF-treated spermatozoa underwent hyperactivation than did control spermatozoa after 1 hour and 3 hours of treatment. The effects of human FF on beat cross-frequency and hyperactivation were dose-dependent.


CONCLUSIONS
Human FF promotes capacitation and the acrosome reaction within a short period. It also stimulates or maintains various sperm motility parameters.
Yao
Y
Y
Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, University of Hong Kong, Queen Mary Hospital, Hong Kong, China.
Ho
P
P
Yeung
W S
WS
D020101:Acrosome Reaction; D005260:Female; D015571:Follicular Fluid / Q000502:physiology*; D006801:Humans; D007700:Kinetics; D008297:Male; D013075:Sperm Capacitation / Q000187:drug effects / Q000502:physiology*; D013081:Sperm Motility / Q000187:drug effects / Q000502:physiology*