Phorbol myristate acetate induces ruffling of the acrosome of human sperm.
OBJECTIVE
To determine the effect of phorbol myristate acetate (PMA) on human acrosome morphology and the acrosome reaction.


METHODS
Controlled experiments on sperm and unfertilized oocytes from volunteers.


METHODS
Academic research and teaching tertiary hospital.


METHODS
Sperm samples were from normospermic men and unfertilized oocytes from IVF patients.


METHODS
Acrosome morphology was assessed by using transmission and scanning electron microscopy. The acrosome reaction was assessed by using fluorescein-labeled Pisum sativum agglutinin.


RESULTS
PMA induced acrosome ruffling, indicated by a marked wavy appearance. A significant correlation was found between PMA-induced ruffling and PMA enhancement of the zona pellucida-induced acrosome reaction. Protein kinase C inhibitors bisindolylmalemide I and sangivamycin had no effect on PMA-induced acrosomal ruffling, but actin polymerization inhibitors cytochalasin B and cytochalasin D significantly decreased PMA-induced acrosomal ruffling. In contrast, bisindolylmalemide I, sangivamycin, cytochalasin B, and cytochalasin D significantly decreased both the zona pellucida-induced acrosome reaction and the PMA enhancement of the zona pellucida-induced acrosome reaction.


CONCLUSIONS
PMA-induced acrosomal ruffling involves actin polymerization, possibly independent of conventional protein kinase C. Acrosomal ruffling is involved in the PMA augmentation of the zona pellucida-induced acrosome reaction.
Liu
De Yi
DY
Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, University of Melbourne, Melbourne, Royal Women's Hospital, Victoria, Australia. dyl@unimelb.edu.au
Martic
Mirjana
M
Grkovic
Ivica
I
Garrett
Claire
C
Dunlop
Marjorie E
ME
Baker
H W Gordon
HW
D000177:Acrosome / Q000187:drug effects* / Q000502:physiology* / Q000648:ultrastructure; D020101:Acrosome Reaction / Q000187:drug effects / Q000502:physiology; D000199:Actins / Q000378:metabolism; D002478:Cells, Cultured; D003571:Cytochalasin B / Q000494:pharmacology; D015638:Cytochalasin D / Q000494:pharmacology; D004791:Enzyme Inhibitors / Q000494:pharmacology; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007211:Indoles / Q000494:pharmacology; D008297:Male; D008301:Maleimides / Q000494:pharmacology; D008854:Microscopy, Electron; D008855:Microscopy, Electron, Scanning; D009865:Oocytes; D011108:Polymers / Q000378:metabolism; D011493:Protein Kinase C / Q000037:antagonists & inhibitors; D011741:Pyrimidine Nucleosides / Q000494:pharmacology; D013755:Tetradecanoylphorbol Acetate / Q000494:pharmacology*; D015044:Zona Pellucida / Q000502:physiology
D000199:Actins; D004791:Enzyme Inhibitors; D007211:Indoles; D008301:Maleimides; D011108:Polymers; D011741:Pyrimidine Nucleosides; C005699:sangivamycin; D015638:Cytochalasin D; D003571:Cytochalasin B; D011493:Protein Kinase C; C070515:bisindolylmaleimide I; D013755:Tetradecanoylphorbol Acetate