IDENTIFICATION OF HYALURONIC-ACID AND CHONDROITIN SULFATES IN HUMAN FOLLICULAR-FLUID AND THEIR EFFECTS ON HUMAN SPERM MOTILITY AND THE OUTCOME OF IN-VITRO FERTILIZATION

This study measured glycosaminoglycans (GAGs) in human follicular flui d (hFF) obtained from patients undergoing hormonal stimulation with co mbined GnRH agonist followed by gonadotropin hormone (hMG or FSH) for in vitro fertilization (IVF). The GAGs were partially characterized th rough the use of various mucopolysaccharidases and then their effects tested on human sperm motility. In hFF, the GAG and protein concentrat ions were 4.4 +/- 1.3 mg/L and 32.6 +/- 3.2 g/L respectively. Chondroi tins (CS) and hyaluronic acid (HA) significantly stimulate sperm motio n in comparison to the control. The oocytes inseminated with GAGs-pret reated spermatozoa showed a significantly higher rate of cleavage and pregnancy or delivered number. The present results suggest that hFF is a rich source of sulfated glycosaminoglycan (CS), and non-sulfated gl ycosaminoglycan (HA). The stimulatory effects of hFF on human sperm mo tility may well depend on CS and HA. GAGs pretreated sperm may enhance the fertilizing ability of spermatozoa and thus the IVF outcome.