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Behavior of ACRBP-deficient mouse sperm in the female reproductive tract

Kiyoshi Nagashima1,2, Tomoyuki Usui2, Tadashi Baba1,2,3

  • 1Ph.D. Program in Human Biology, School of Integrative and Global Majors, University of Tsukuba, Ibaraki 305-8577, Japan.

The Journal of Reproduction and Development
|January 5, 2019
PubMed

Insights

Male mice lacking the sperm protein ACRBP (acrosome-binding protein) show subfertility. This is due to an incomplete acrosome reaction, hindering sperm

Area of Science:

  • Reproductive Biology
  • Sperm Physiology
  • Male Fertility

Background:

  • Acrosome reaction (AR) is crucial for fertilization.
  • Acrosome-binding protein (ACRBP) is localized in sperm acrosome.
  • ACRBP-deficient mice exhibit male subfertility due to abnormal acrosome formation.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To investigate the mechanism of male subfertility in ACRBP-deficient mice.
  • To analyze the behavior of ACRBP-deficient sperm in the female reproductive tract.
  • To determine the role of ACRBP in sperm migration and oocyte interaction.

Main Methods:

  • Sperm counting in the uterus and oviduct of mated wild-type and ACRBP-knockout mice.
  • Assessment of sperm morphology and motility.
  • Evaluation of sperm's ability to access unfertilized oocytes.

Main Results:

  • Significantly fewer ACRBP-deficient sperm were found in the oviduct post-mating.
  • ACRBP-deficient sperm retained normal morphology and motility in the oviduct.
  • ACRBP-deficient sperm showed a reduced ability to reach unfertilized oocytes.

Conclusions:

  • Male subfertility in ACRBP-deficient mice is linked to an incomplete acrosome reaction.
  • Impaired oocyte penetration, not sperm transport, causes subfertility.
  • ACRBP plays a critical role in the acrosome reaction essential for fertilization.
Keywords:
ACRBPFemale reproductive tractFertilizationMouseSperm

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