IN VITRO METHOD FOR THE INDUCTION OF THE SPERMATOZOAL ACROSOME REACTION AND APPLICATION OF SAID METHOD TO THE ASSESSMENT OF SPERMATOZOA AND THE TREATMENT OF MALE-RELATED INFERTILITY

摘要

A method of inducing the acrosome reaction in spermatozoa comprises subjecting spermatozoa in vitro to electropermeabilisation involving application of an electric field sufficient to raise the spermatozoal plasma membrane potential from about -70 mV to +1 V to allow an influx of Ca++ ions. Using this method one is able to achieve up to 75 % penetration in the so-called sperm penetration assay (SPA) with oligospermic samples. The method has application in the assessment of spermatozoa, in preparing spermatozoa for in vitro fertilisation and in the treatment of male infertility.