Biosynthesis of prostaglandins by human spermatozoa in vitro and their role in acrosome reaction and fertilization

Publisher Website
Google Scholar
Abstract
Five homogenates of human sperm cells were separately incubated with [14C]arachidonic acid in the presence of reduced glutathione, L-tryptophan, and haematin as cofactors. The cyclooxygenase products of archidonic acid metabolism were extracted, separated, and measuréd for their radioactivity. The rate of formation of prostaglandin (PG)D2, PGE2, PGF2α, 6-keto PGF1α, and thromboxane (TX)B2 were 18.0 ± 1.11, 10.9 ± 0.68, 5.8 ± 0.21, 3.9 ± 0.13 and 6.6 ± 0.52 pmol/106 cells/min, respectively. These results are discussed in relation to the hypothesis that cyclooxygenase metabolites of certain polyunsaturated fatty acids play an important part in the sperm acrosome reaction and fertilization.