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Effect of progesterone on human zona pellucida sperm binding and oocyte penetrating capacity
C E Sueldo1, S Oehninger, E Subias
1Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, University of California San Francisco-Fresno 93703.
Objective:
To determine if sperm exposure to P produces an enhancement in its fertilizing capacity.
Design:
Sperm from fertile donors were exposed to P at 0.1 and 1.0 microgram/mL for 1 or 24 hours. The effects on hyperactivated (HA) motility at 1 and 4 hours, acrosome reaction (as determined by Pisum sativum agglutinin or T6/antibody techniques), on human zona pellucida binding (by using the hemizona assay), and on the penetrating ability (by using the zona-free hamster ova assay) were evaluated.
Results:
Exposure to P at 1.0 microgram/mL enhanced HA motility after 1 and 4 hours of P exposure, the acrosome reaction after 24 hours' incubation, the number of sperm bound/hemizona after 1-hour incubation, and the penetration rates in the hamster ova assay at both incubation intervals.
Conclusion:
Sperm exposure to P enhances its fertilizing capacity in fertile men, and further investigation is warranted as a possible treatment for male factor patients.