title: The in vitro effect of benzo[a]pyrene on human sperm hyperactivation and acrosome reaction.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To evaluate the in vitro effect of benzo[a]pyrene on sperm hyperactivation and acrosome status in normozoospermic semen samples of nonsmokers analyzed by computer-assisted semen analysis (CASA).
  
  
  METHODS
  Experimental in vitro study.
  
  
  METHODS
  Andrology laboratory.
  
  
  METHODS
  Thirteen proven fertile, normozoospermic, and nonsmoking men.
  
  
  METHODS
  Spermatozoa were washed free of seminal plasma and were treated with different concentrations of benzo[a]pyrene and compared with controls treated with medium alone. The benzo[a]pyrene concentrations were: 100, 50, 25, and 12.5 microg/mL.
  
  
  METHODS
  Effect of varying concentrations of benzo[a]pyrene on sperm hyperactivation and acrosomal reaction.
  
  
  RESULTS
  A statistically significant increase in sperm hyperactivation was observed in presence of benzo[a]pyrene at concentrations of >or=50 microg/mL. The result of the acrosome halo test showed that concentrations of benzo[a]pyrene >or=25 microg/mL statistically significantly decreased the percentage of halo formation, indicating an inappropriate (false) acrosome reaction.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Benzo[a]pyrene statistically significantly affected sperm functional competence as evidenced by increased hyperactivation as well as premature acrosomal reaction.
authors.affiliation: Department of Zoology, University of Calcutta, Calcutta, India.
authors.forename: Dyutiman
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Mukhopadhyay
authors.forename: Parag
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Nandi
authors.forename: Alex C
authors.initials: AC
authors.lastname: Varghese
authors.forename: Rohit
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Gutgutia
authors.forename: Samir
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Banerjee
authors.forename: Asok K
authors.initials: AK
authors.lastname: Bhattacharyya