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Sperm binding to the human zona pellucida after migration through human cervical mucus
P Vigil1, R Riquelme, P Morales
1Unit of Reproduction and Development, Faculty of Biological Sciences, Pontifical Catholic University of Chile, Santiago.
International Journal of Andrology
|June 1, 1995
Summary
Spermatozoa migrated through post-partum cervical mucus showed reduced binding to the human zona pellucida (hZP). However, sperm binding to the hZP is still possible even after traversing low-quality mucus during lactational amenorrhea.
Area of Science:
- Reproductive Biology
- Human Physiology
- Infertility Research
Background:
- Lactational amenorrhea involves unique cervical mucus production.
- This mucus, despite its characteristics, can support sperm migration.
- The study investigates sperm-zona pellucida binding post-mucus migration.
Purpose of the Study:
- To assess sperm-zona pellucida (hZP) binding after migration through periovulatory and post-partum cervical mucus.
- To compare the binding capacity of spermatozoa exposed to different mucus types.
Main Methods:
- Cervical mucus collected from breastfeeding women in amenorrhea (30-180 days post-partum) and control periovulatory mucus.
- Spermatozoa migrated through mucus in capillary tubes for 3 hours.
- Migrated spermatozoa were coincubated with human zona pellucida (hZP) to count bound sperm.
Main Results:
- Post-partum mucus had a significantly lower Insler score (4.6) compared to periovulatory mucus (14).
- Spermatozoa recovered from periovulatory mucus showed hZP binding in 68% of cases.
- Spermatozoa recovered from post-partum mucus bound to the hZP in significantly lower numbers (p < 0.03).
Conclusions:
- Sperm-hZP binding is enhanced after migration through periovulatory mucus.
- Sperm binding to the hZP remains feasible even after migration through low-quality post-partum mucus.
- Findings offer insights into sperm function during lactational amenorrhea and infertility.