The detection of in vitro capacitation of bull sperm by heparin treatment
Blottner, S.; Fasinski, M.; Pitra, C.
Archiv für Experimentelle Veterinarmedizin 43(4): 623-635
1989
ISSN/ISBN: 0003-9055 PMID: 2619457 Document Number: 334061
The capacitating effect of heparin upon spermatozoa from original and deep-frozen semen was characterised, using new methods for detection of inducible acrosomal reaction and heparin-mediated sperm aggregation, and was compared with frequently used capacitation by media of high ion strength. Heparin treatment was undertaken also by means of two culture media, "defined medium" (DM) and TCM 199, with 10% fetal calf serum. Higher motility was maintained by means of 10 I.U. of heparin/ml (= 77 micrograms/ml) which also proved helpful in achieving higher capability of inducible acrosomal reaction, as compared to pretreatment, using media of high ion strength. This applied to both fresh and deep-frozen sperm. The highest level of inducible acrosomal reaction was achieved after 2 hours of heparin action on fresh sperm and 30 minutes of action on deep-frozen sperm. That highest value was at its maximum, when TCM with 10% fetal calf serum had been used. This was the medium, after all, in which photometrically recorded aggregation of motile spermatozoa was at its fastest rate, reaching its maximum after about 60 minutes. The photometrically recorded activated motility of spermatozoa occurred more frequently in TCM, as compared to DM. Preparation of bull sperm in TCM 199 with fetal calf serum and heparin may be recommended as an effective and time-saving method for in vitro capacitation.