[Effects of interferon-gamma and tumor necrosis factor-alpha on the fertilizing capacity of human sperm and their mechanisms].
OBJECTIVE
To investigate the effects of interferon-gamma (IFN-gamma) and tumor necrosis factor alpha (TNF-gamma) on the sperm acrosin activity and the rate of acrosome reaction and to probe into their mechanisms.


METHODS
Thirty-six nearly normal semen samples were treated with IFN-gamma and/or TNF-alpha after isolated by 75% Percoll. The sperm acrosin activity was tested by the method of BAEE/ADH Unity, the rate of acrosome reaction observed by Triple-stain technique, the NO concentration measured by HPLC and the activities of Na+ -K+ -ATPase, Ca2+ -ATPase and SOD assayed by kit method.


RESULTS
Both IFN-gamma and TNF-gamma could decrease sperm acrosin activity and acrosome reaction (P < 0.05 or P < 0.01). TNF-alpha showed stronger inhibiting effect, IFN-gamma markedly reduced the activities of Na+ -K+ -ATPase, Ca2+ -ATPase and SOD in sperm (P < 0.01), and their synergistic action was weaker. However TNF-alpha produced hardly any effect on Na+ -K+ -ATPase and Ca2+ -ATPase. The NO concentration in sperm was significantly increased by IFN-gamma and/or TNF-alpha (P < 0.01).


CONCLUSIONS
IFN-gamma and TNF-alpha have some inhibiting effect on sperm acrosin activity and the rate of acrosome reaction, which could be attributed to their influence on the activities of Na+ -K+ -ATPase, Ca2+ -ATPase and SOD, the NO concentration and so on.
Bian
Shu-Ling
SL
Dpartment of Physiology, Harbin Medical University, Harbin, Heilongjiang 150086, China. Biansl6310@yahoo.com.cn
Jin
Hong-bo
HB
Wang
Shu-zhen
SZ
Zhang
Hai-feng
HF
Gu
Chang-ren
CR
Zhang
Wei
W
Yu
Xiao-guang
XG
D020101:Acrosome Reaction / Q000187:drug effects*; D000328:Adult; D000252:Calcium-Transporting ATPases / Q000378:metabolism; D002851:Chromatography, High Pressure Liquid; D006801:Humans; D007371:Interferon-gamma / Q000494:pharmacology*; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009569:Nitric Oxide / Q000378:metabolism; D000254:Sodium-Potassium-Exchanging ATPase / Q000378:metabolism; D013094:Spermatozoa / Q000187:drug effects / Q000201:enzymology / Q000378:metabolism; D013482:Superoxide Dismutase / Q000378:metabolism; D014409:Tumor Necrosis Factor-alpha / Q000494:pharmacology*
D014409:Tumor Necrosis Factor-alpha; D009569:Nitric Oxide; D007371:Interferon-gamma; D013482:Superoxide Dismutase; D000252:Calcium-Transporting ATPases; D000254:Sodium-Potassium-Exchanging ATPase