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Inhibition of human sperm penetration into zona-free hamster oocytes by porteinase inhibitors

Zhang Yanlin, Lu Rongzhen, Wang Xiaogang, Wang Shouzhen, Zhu Hong, Zhou Yuancong

Shanghai Institute of Planned Parenthood Research. Shanghai, China；Shanghai Institute of Biochemistry, Academy Sinica

Abstract

Effects of two natural proteinase inhibitors (Trichosanthes inhibitor and Arrowhead inhibitor) on human sperm penetration into zona-free hamster oocytes
were investigated. The results showed: (1) 1.0×10~(-3) mol/L Trichosanthes inhibitor added to the spermatozoa containing medium for a period of preincubation intended to induce capacitation caused a large decrease in the spermatozoa penetration rate (P<0.01), while Arrowhead inhibitor of similar concentration did not,how significant effect. (2) The penetration rate of capacitation spermatozoa into zona-free oocytes pretreated with either inhibitor for 0.5 h was similar to that of the untreated control. (3) When either inhibitor [1.0×10~(-3) mol/L or 0.5×10~(-3) mol/L] was present in the capacitation sperm in egg incubation medium, the spermatozoa penetration rate was significantly decreased (P<0.01). (4) When 1.0×10~(-3) mol/L of either inhibitor was present during both the preincubation for capitation and the sperm/egg incubation periods, the ability of spermatozoa to penetrate zona-free oocytes was significantly decreased (P<0.01). 1.0×10~(-4) mol/L inhibitors did not show up significant effect. (5) The motility of the sperm was not affected
by the inhibitors. Thus it is the enzyme system involved in the penetration of
sperm into oocyte affected by the proteinase inhibitors.

Key words: Trichosanthes inhibitor;Arrowhead inhibitor;Zona-free hamster oocytes

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Citing This Article：

Zhang Yanlin, Lu Rongzhen, Wang Xiaogang, Wang Shouzhen, Zhu Hong, Zhou Yuancong. Inhibition of human sperm penetration into zona-free hamster oocytes by porteinase inhibitors. Acta Physiol Sin 1987; 39 (4): (in Chinese with English abstract).