The inhibition of acrosin by sterol sulphates

Publisher Website
Google Scholar
Abstract
Four 3.beta.-Hydroxy-.DELTA.5-steroid sulfates are potent and specific inhibitors of the sperm acrosomal proteinase, acrosin. Two of these acrosin inhibitors, desmosteryl sulfate and cholesteryl sulfate, occur naturally in spermatozoa. Desmosteryl sulfate, an inhibitor of the in-vitro capacitation of hamster spermatozoa, has a Ki [inhibition constant] of 3.5 .times. 10-6 M for of acrosin inhibition. The mechanism of inhibition of sperm capacitation by sterol sulfates is probably due to their acrosin inhibition.