Related Experiment Videos
Effect of human seminal plasma and mouse accessory gland extracts on mouse fertilization in vitro
Abstract:
The mouse in vitro fertilization system was used to investigate the effect of human seminal plasma (HSP) on the fertilizing ability of mouse spermatozoa. The addition of HSP to freshly collected mouse epididymal spermatozoa decreased their fertilizing ability to 30%, compared with 85-90% for control spermatozoa not exposed to HSP or for spermatozoa that had been exposed to the capacitating system for 55-145 min (which allowed capacitation to occur before the addition of HSP). Human seminal plasma from a vasectomized donor was more effective in retarding the acquisition of fertilizing ability in mouse spermatozoa than was seminal plasma from non-vasectomized donors. Fluid from the prostate glands and seminal vesicles of mice also reduced the fertilizing ability of freshly collected mouse spermatozoa to 30%.
Insights
Human seminal plasma (HSP) significantly impairs mouse sperm fertilizing ability. This effect is more pronounced with plasma from vasectomized donors and similar to mouse seminal fluid, suggesting inhibitory factors in seminal plasma affect sperm function.
Area of Science:
- Reproductive Biology
- In Vitro Fertilization
- Sperm Physiology
Background:
- Human seminal plasma (HSP) contains factors that can influence sperm function.
- Understanding these factors is crucial for reproductive research and assisted reproductive technologies.
- The specific effects of HSP on the fertilizing capacity of spermatozoa from different species are not fully elucidated.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the impact of human seminal plasma (HSP) on the fertilizing ability of mouse spermatozoa.
- To compare the effects of HSP from vasectomized and non-vasectomized donors.
- To examine the influence of mouse seminal and glandular fluids on mouse sperm fertilizing capacity.
Main Methods:
- Utilized a mouse in vitro fertilization (IVF) system.
- Assessed the fertilizing ability of freshly collected mouse epididymal spermatozoa after exposure to HSP.
- Compared fertilization rates with control groups and spermatozoa exposed to HSP after a capacitation period.
- Evaluated the effects of seminal plasma from vasectomized and non-vasectomized human donors.
- Tested the impact of mouse prostate and seminal vesicle fluids.
Main Results:
- Addition of HSP to freshly collected mouse spermatozoa reduced their fertilizing ability to 30%.
- Control spermatozoa and those capacitated before HSP addition showed high fertilization rates (85-90%).
- HSP from vasectomized donors was more inhibitory to mouse sperm fertilizing ability than that from non-vasectomized donors.
- Mouse prostate and seminal vesicle fluids also significantly decreased mouse sperm fertilizing ability to 30%.
Conclusions:
- Human seminal plasma contains factors that inhibit the fertilizing ability of mouse spermatozoa, particularly when added before capacitation.
- The inhibitory effect appears to be influenced by the donor's vasectomy status.
- Seminal and glandular fluids in mice also possess sperm-inhibiting properties, suggesting conserved mechanisms across species.