EFFECT OF TUBULAR AND FOLLICULAR FLUIDS ON ACROSIN ACTIVITY AND SPERMMOTILITY

Acrosin activity is influenced by various inhibitors and stimulators. The present study investigated the ability of tubular and follicular f luid, taken at different stages of the menstrual cycle, to stimulate o r inhibit acrosin activity. Endometrial histology and cervical mucus m icroscopy were used to ascertain the stage of the menstrual cycle. Nor mal human sperm were incubated separately with tubular and follicular fluid and then assessed for gross motility and acrosin activity. The f luids were also investigated immunoelectrophoretically against anti-al pha(1)-antitrypsin and anti-alpha-2-macroglobulin. Nonovulatory tubula r fluid inhibited acrosin activity, while ovulatory tubular fluid and that from the late proliferative stages lacked inhibition. Ovulatory f ollicular fluid activated acrosin activity, while nonovulatory follicu lar fluid did not. Ovulatory fluid also enhanced sperm motility. Immun oelectrophoresis of tubular fluid suggests the presence of some other potential inhibitors in addition to anti-alpha(1)-antitrypsin. It woul d appear that tubular fluid maintains rather than activates sperm func tion, while follicular fluid at ovulation stimulates acrosin proteolyt ic activity and sperm motility.