Inhibitors of acrosomal proteinase as antifertility agents A problem of acrosomal membrane permeability

Interaction of human sperm acrosomal proteinase with human seminal plasma proteinase inhibitors.

An organized distribution of acrosomal proteinase in rabbit sperm acrosomes.

Acrosomal proteinase was found to be present in a highly organized distribution within the acrosomes of rabbit spermatozoa by cytochemistry. This distribution consists of at least six linear loops of evenly spaced proteinase granules, which run diagonally across the flat side of the sperm head in a crisscrossing pattern with the two most anterior loops surrounding the region of the acrosome rea...

Lectins binding on human sperm surface increase membrane permeability and stimulate acrosomal exocytosis.

Cross-linked complexes formed between certain lectins and their specific multivalent carbohydrates and glycoconjugates on the sperm surface were studied for their ability to modify sperm membrane permeability and to induce the acrosome reaction. Wheat germ agglutinin (WGA), concanavalin A (Con A) and peanut agglutinin (PNA) increased the proportions of human spermatozoa permeable to the imperme...

Acrosomal Disruption in Sperm

"Capacitation" is a physiological event which alters sperm to permit rapid penetration through oocyte investments and fusion between gametes. Acrosomal "reaction," the physiological release of acrosomal contents, occurs after this facilitating process. In this study, acrosomal "disruption" of guinea pig and rat sperm was achieved in vitro by incubating sperm together with the follicular content...

Membrane Fusion in the Acrosomal Reaction of Echinoderm Sperm

When Pisaster, Asterias, or Thyone sperm are treated with the ionophore A23187 or X537A, an acrosomal reaction similar but not identical to a normal acrosomal reaction is induced in all the sperm. Based upon the response of the sperm, the acrosomal reaction consists of a series of temporally related steps. These include the fusion of the acrosomal vacuole with the cell surface, the polymerizati...