Human sperm motility after migration into, and incubation in, synthetic media

Abstract

Ten framesisec microcinematography ("film"), 1 second timed-exposure photomicrography ("photo"), and laser Doppler velocimetry (LDV) were used to analyse the swimming patterns of human spermatozoa after migration (1 h at 37°C) into an overlying layer of either BWW or Menezo's B2 media. The upper layer of medium was carefully removed and further incubated at 37°C for either 4 h (B2) or 5 h (BWW) and the spcrm motility analysed again. Five experiments were performed using semen from different donors. Film and photo analyses gave the relative incidence of nonprogressive and progressively motile spermatozoa plus, for the progressive spermatozoa, the velocities of progression (Vp) and amplitudes of lateral head displacement (Ah). LDV gave the percentage of motile spermatozoa and the modal instantaneous velocity (Vm). All postmigration sperm populations showed large significant increases in the percentage of motile spermatozoa, with good survival during incubation. The progressive postmigration spermatozoa generally moved with greater Vp and Ah than in the initial seminal plasma-diluted material; Vm was also increased. There were further increases in both Vp and Ah during incubation, but no change in Vm was detected. While the majority of spermatozoa were progressive, some showed a highly active pattern of movement which resulted in no net forward progression. The possible homology between these spermatozoa and the "hyperactivated" motility of capacitated spermatozoa in other mammalian species is discussed. Apparent discrepancies between the three methods used for motility analysis were seen, the possible causes and significances of which are also discussed.

Human Sperm-Zona Pellucida Interaction is Inhibited by an Antiserum against a Hamster Sperm Protein1

“…Similarly, the preimmune serum and the anti-P26h antiserum did not affect the percentage of motile spermatozoa nor their movement characteristics, especially the velocity, linearity, and the amplitude of lateral head displacement (ALH). These three parameters have been reported to be important contributors to sperm hyperactivation, an integral part of capacitation that precedes sperm binding to the zona pellucida and the acrosome reaction [33,47,48]. Taken together, these results suggest that the polyclonal antibodies inhibited spermzona pellucida interaction in the human without affecting sperm capacitation.…”

Human Sperm-Specific Peptide Vaccine That Causes Long-Term Reversible Contraception1

“…However, it is possible that the antibodies affect velocity, amplitude of lateral head displacement, and beat frequency. These parameters have been reported to be important contributors to hyperactivation of sperm cells, which is considered an integral part of capacitation that precedes the acrosome reaction and sperm binding to the zona pellucida of the oocyte [26,27]. This may be one of the mechanisms by which antibodies affect sperm function (i.e., capacitation, acrosome reaction, and sperm-oocyte binding).…”

Effect of Migration and Capacitation on the Nuclear Stability of Human Sperm

“…The addition of HSA at a level of 0.8% had no effect on the chromatin stability, whereas it has been shown that HSA at a level of 4% removes divalent cations such as Zn" in the same way as EDTA does and that 4% HSA is a suitable decondensing reagent [ 7 ] . Thus it is shown that these milieux, which select motile and morphologically normal population of spermatozoa [9] and which allow capacitation of the spermatozoa [ I ] , have no effect on the chromatin stability of the spermatozoa.…”

“…A population of spermatozoa, selected by a swimup migration in a synthetic medium that improves morphology and motility [9] and incubated under conditions reported to sustain capacitation [ 11 , was tested by using a nuclear chromatin decondensation ability test [S] .…”