Investigations into the metabolism of human spermatozoa in relation to penetration capacity

Using a special chamber, the authors investigated the penetration capacity of spermatozoa of 120 sterile couples in both simple and crossed mucus penetration tests. Moreover, the glycolytic activity and the oxygen consumption of the ejaculates were biochemically determined in an artificial cervical mucus medium. A negative spermatozoan penetration was found to be associated with a markedly reduced aerobic glycolytic activity. It was for low-motility spermatozoa that no penetration was observed in cervical mucus, if the aerobic glycolysis was diminished, but the respiratory activity enhanced. Comparative investigations into the penetration capacity of spermatozoa in an artificial cervical mucus medium permit the detection of causes of male sterility, which exhibit metabolic regulation disturbances of spermatozoa.