Fertilization of hamster eggs in vitro at sperm:egg ratios close to unity

Hamster epididymal spermatozoa were washed and preincubated at extremely low sperm concentrations (100/ml or less) in a culture medium containing naturally-occurring sperm motility-stimulating substances. These substances were partially purified "sperm motility factor" (SMF) derived from hamster adrenal glands and catecholamines (epinephrine or isoproterenol). After preincubation for three hours, a small number (5 or less) of washed, cumulus-free hamster eggs was added to each sperm suspension. Many of these eggs were undergoing fertilization when examined two to three hours later. Fertilization was accomplished in vitro at sperm:egg ratios approaching 1:1, a situation comparable to that believed to exist in vivo. It appears that this demonstration will considerably enhance the potential of in vitro fertilization studies for providing useful information on mammalian gamete interactions.