Dynamics of the induced acrosome reaction in boar sperm evaluated by flow cytometry

The present study investigated the dynamics of the in vitro induced acrosome reaction (AR) in boar sperm in response to medium composition, incubation time and ionophore concentration. The AR is a prerequisite for normal sperm fertilizing capability and can be studied in vitro following induction by various agents. The ability of a sperm population to undergo the AR in vivo is expected to influence male fertilizing potential, and attempts to relate the in vitro induced AR to fertility has been reported. However, to relate the induced AR to fertility one should be aware of the dynamics of the in vitro induced AR. A detailed description of the dynamics of sperm viability and acrosomal status of boar sperm following in vitro induction of the AR has to our knowledge not previously been conducted. In the present study, a triple color flow cytometric detection technique was used, which gave simultaneous information on sperm viability and acrosomal status. The ionophore induced AR was dependent on extracellular Ca(2+), but could be easily induced in boar sperm without capacitation. Capacitation-associated plasma membrane phospholipid scrambling was assessed and a medium specific ability to induce these membrane changes was observed. Both sperm viability and the induced AR were significantly affected by sperm capacitation, incubation time and ionophore concentration. The results lead to suggestions for an optimized AR induction protocol that takes both sperm viability and the effectiveness of AR induction into consideration.