INDUCTION OF BUFFALO (BUBALUS-BUBALIS) SPERM CAPACITATION AND ACROSOME REACTION IN THE EXCISED REPRODUCTIVE-TRACT OF HAMSTERS

A study was conducted on the induction of buffalo sperm capacitation a nd acrosome reaction in the excised reproductive tract of hamsters at the estrogen- and progesterone-dominated stages of estrus. The percent ages of the maximum capacitation and acrosome reaction were significan tly (P <0.01) higher for spermatozoa incubated in the uterus with ovid ucts of estrogen dominated hamsters compared with those incubated in B WW medium in a test tube (64.6% 60.2%; 16.2%, 14.7%). Buffalo spermato zoa incubated in the uterus and oviducts of progesterone-dominated ham sters showed significantly (P< 0.01) lower capacitation and acrosome r eaction rates than those incubated in the uterus and oviducts of estro gen-dominated hamsters ( 34.8%: 34.3% 64.6%. 60.2%). The percentage of capacitation and acrosome reaction in spermatozoa were significantly (P< 0.01) more when incubated in the uterus plus oviducts than without the. oviduct irrespective of whether the reproduct tract of hamster w as estrogen- or progesterone-dominated, The time for the onset of maxi mum capacitation and acrosome reaction was reduced from 12 to 10 h whe n the spermatozoa were incubated in the hamster reproductive tract rat her than in BWW medium in test tubes. The significance of the results in relation to hormonal regulation of sperm capacitation and acrosome reaction are also discussed.