Enhancement of zona binding using 2-hydroxypropyl- beta-cyclodextrin.
Since membrane cholesterol depletion is known to play an important role in sperm capacitation, we have investigated the effect of 2-hydroxypropyl-beta-cyclodextrin, a cyclic oligosaccharide that mediates cholesterol efflux, on sperm functions. Sperm treatment with cyclodextrin did not affect the motility patterns but induced an increase in sperm binding to zona pellucida (24 +/- 5 versus 13 +/- 4 in control, P < 0.01). Cyclodextrin treatment was associated with an increase in spontaneous acrosome reaction (32 +/- 8% versus 22 +/- 4% in controls after a 4 h incubation, P < 0.05; 61 +/- 10% versus 50 +/- 11% in controls after a 24 h incubation, NS) but with a decrease in acrosome response to ionophore challenge (44 +/- 5% versus 51 +/- 3% in controls, P < 0.05). Concerning cell sterols, cyclodextrin induced a rapid and dramatic fall in the cholesterol and desmosterol content of spermatozoa. We conclude that cyclodextrin is a powerful capacitating agent, but since it induces an increase in spontaneous acrosome loss, it needs to be further evaluated before routine use in assisted reproductive technology media.
Parinaud
J
J
Laboratoire de Biologie de la Reproduction, CHU La Grave, 31052 Toulouse Cedex, France.
Vieitez
G
G
Vieu
C
C
Collet
X
X
Perret
B
B
D000073738:2-Hydroxypropyl-beta-cyclodextrin; D020101:Acrosome Reaction / Q000187:drug effects; D000328:Adult; D002784:Cholesterol / Q000378:metabolism*; D003505:Cyclodextrins / Q000494:pharmacology*; D003897:Desmosterol / Q000378:metabolism; D006801:Humans; D066298:In Vitro Techniques; D008297:Male; D010743:Phospholipids / Q000378:metabolism; D013081:Sperm Motility / Q000187:drug effects; D013094:Spermatozoa / Q000187:drug effects* / Q000378:metabolism*; D015044:Zona Pellucida / Q000378:metabolism*; D047392:beta-Cyclodextrins
D003505:Cyclodextrins; D010743:Phospholipids; D047392:beta-Cyclodextrins; D000073738:2-Hydroxypropyl-beta-cyclodextrin; D003897:Desmosterol; D002784:Cholesterol