Localization of Acrosomal Proteinase after Vesculation of the Acrosome

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Abstract
The freshly ovulated [guinea pig] egg is covered by the zona pellucida and follicular cell layer. The former is reported to be dissolved by acrosomal proteinase and the latter may be dispersed by hyaluronidase. If these 2 enzymes have different targets, 2 possibilities can be taken into consideration concerning the timing of release of the 2 enzymes from the acrosome. Since hyaluronidase is considered to be released immediately after the acrosomal reaction at the follicular cell layer, this work was undertaken to examine the timing of release of acrosomal proteinase after vesiculation of the acrosome by demonstrating the site of the proteinase histochemically. The acrosomal proteinase disappeared immediately after vesiculation of the acrosome. Apparently spermatozoa that show vesiculation of the acrosome in the follicular cell layer probably lose acrosomal proteinase in this layer. The spermatozoon probably does not attack the follicular cell layer and zona pellucida, 1 by 1 by release sequential of hyaluronidase and acrosomal proteinase.