Effect of antisperm antibodies present in human follicular fluid upon the acrosome reaction and sperm-zona pellucida interaction.
OBJECTIVE
To determine the ability of IgGs isolated from follicular fluids (hFFIgGs) to induce the acrosome reaction (AR) in human spermatozoa and to inhibit sperm-zona pellucida (ZP) interaction.


METHODS
Incubation of capacitated spermatozoa with hFFIgGs (n = 40) and assessment of their effect on the AR or hemizona (HZ) assay in a condition that allows sperm-ZP interaction, avoiding acrosomal exocytosis.


RESULTS
hFFIgGs from different women varied in their ability of inducing the AR. Those hFFIgGs with the highest AR-inducing capacity evoked the exocytotic response in most of the different sperm donors tested [high Induction Frequency (IF)]. Some of these antibodies were also able of inhibiting sperm binding to ZP [low HZ Index (HZI)]. A significant correlation was found between the IF and the HZI for each hFFIgG.


CONCLUSIONS
Human follicular fluid contains antibodies capable of inducing the AR and inhibiting sperm-ZP binding, suggesting that they could be directed towards ZP receptors. hFFIgGs would constitute a tool for the identification of sperm entities involved in fertilization.
Marín-Briggiler
Clara I
CI
Instituto de Biología y Medicina Experimental, CONICET-UBA, Vuelta de Obligado, Buenos Aires, Argentina. cmarin@dna.uba.ar
Vazquez-Levin
Mónica H
MH
Gonzalez-Echeverría
Fernanda
F
Blaquier
Jorge A
JA
Miranda
Patricia V
PV
Tezón
Jorge G
JG
D020101:Acrosome Reaction; D000328:Adult; D005260:Female; D015571:Follicular Fluid / Q000276:immunology* / Q000378:metabolism; D006801:Humans; D007074:Immunoglobulin G / Q000494:pharmacology*; D008297:Male; D013094:Spermatozoa / Q000187:drug effects* / Q000276:immunology / Q000378:metabolism; D015044:Zona Pellucida / Q000187:drug effects* / Q000276:immunology / Q000378:metabolism
D007074:Immunoglobulin G