Effects of factors released from eggs and other agents on cyclic nucleotide concentrations of sea urchin spermatozoa

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Abstract
Factors released from eggs (FRE) of the sea urchin Strongylocentrotus purpuratus, caused up to 20-fold increases in sperm cyclic[c]AMP levels after a 1-min incubation. Putative cyclic nucleotide phosphodiesterase inhibitors such as theophylline acted in a synergistic manner with FRE to cause even greater increases in sperm cAMP levels. This effect appeared specific for egg factors since various hormones (triiodothyronine, norepinephrine, histamine), nucleosides (adenosine, guanosine), nucleophiles (azide), anesthetics (procaine), ionophores (X537A, A23187), metals (Mn2+) and neurotransmitters (acetylcholine) did not increase sperm cyclic AMP levels. Various mammalian tissue extracts (serum, uterus, adrenal, ovary and lung) also had no effect. The activity which elevates cAMP of sea urchin spermatozoa may be specifically associated with sea urchin eggs.