Effects of Testis Hyaluronidase and Seminal Fluids on the Fertilizing Capacity of Rabbit Spermatozoa

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Abstract
The effect of hyaluronidase on fertilizing capacity of spermatozoa in vivo was investigated by insemination of a minimal effective number of sperms suspended in saline containing purified testis hyaluronidase, in supernatant fluid of heated normal semen containing hyaluronidase, or in semen of vasectomized buck containing no hyaluronidase. The percentage of fertilized ova increased only when the spermatozoa were suspended in seminal fluids with or without hyaluronidase. It is concluded that even if hyaluronidase per se plays an important role in fertilization, the hyaluronidase of spermatozoa is quite adequate to perform its function without further addition of hyaluronidase.