Acrosome reaction: methods for detection and clinical significance

The present article reviews the methods for detection and the clinical sign ificance of the acrosome reaction. The best method for the detection of the acrosome reaction is electron microscopy, but it is expensive and labour-i ntensive and therefore cannot be used routinely. The most widely used metho ds utilize optical microscopy where spermatozoa are stained for the visuali zation of their acrosomal status. Different dyes are used for this purpose as well as lectins and antibodies labelled with fluorescence. The acrosome reaction following ionophore challenge (ARIC) can separate spermatozoa that undergo spontaneous acrosome reaction from those that are induced, making the result of the inducible acrosome reaction more meaningful. Many differe nt stimuli have been used for the induction of the acrosome reaction with d ifferent results. The ARIC test can provide information on the fertilizing capability of a sample. The ARIC test was also used to evaluate patients un dergoing in vitro fertilization since a low percentage of induced acrosome reaction was found to be associated with lower rates of fertilization. The cut-off value that could be used to identify infertile patients is under de bate. Therapeutic decisions can also be made on the basis of the value of t he ARIC test.