Effect of Divalent Ions in Acrosome Reaction Induced by Glycosamineglycans in Porcine Spermatozoa

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Abstract
Magnesium, calcium, and zinc at the concentration of 10 μM are capable of inducing a “true” acrosome reaction in the pig spermatozoa judged by the criteria of the fusion of the acrosome and the plasmatic membrane at the anterior region or the sperm nucleus. The optimal percent of acrosome reaction reached by any of the ions tested as a whole was 50%. When glycosamineglycan sulfate (GAGs) plus 10 μM of Mg++, Ca++, or Zn++was added, they reach to 70-80% of acrosome reaction. At the electrom microscope, thin sections taken from pig spermatozoa treated with ions, GAGs, or ion + GAGs under optimal experimental conditions revealed the same pattern of acrosomal reaction. Results suggest the important role that divalent cations play in general in the induction of the acrosome reaction and question the so-called essential role of calcium ions.