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A reappraisal of the factors involved in in vitro initiation of the acrosome reaction in chicken spermatozoa

Physiologie de la Reproduction et des Comportements, UMR-85-6175 INRA-CNRS-Université F. Rabelais de Tours-Haras Nationaux, 37380 Nouzilly, France

Correspondence should be addressed to E Blesbois; Email: elisabeth.blesbois{at}tours.inra.fr

Chicken spermatozoa may remain in the female oviduct for a prolonged period before induction of the acrosome reaction on contact with the inner perivitelline layer (IPVL). By contrast, the acrosome reaction may be induced very rapidly in vitro in the presence of IPVL and Ca²⁺. In the present study, we examined the extent to which the chicken acrosome reaction can be induced in media of various compositions in the presence or absence of IPVL and/or Ca²⁺ and other factors known to be efficient in mammals. We also compared the efficacy of perivitelline layer (PL) taken at various states of oocyte maturation in initiating the reaction. The acrosome reaction was induced in less than 5 min in the presence of Ca²⁺ and IPVL. Incubation of spermatozoa in different saline media (Beltsville poultry semen extender (BPSE); Dulbecco's modified eagle medium; NaCl-TES buffer) without IPVL showed a significant induction of acrosome reaction in BPSE supplemented with 5 mM Ca²⁺ and in the three media after supplementation with Ca²⁺ and Ca²⁺ ionophore A23187. [GenBank] By contrast, the acrosome reaction was never induced without Ca²⁺. BSA, NaHCO₃, and progesterone did not stimulate the acrosome reaction. Ca²⁺ plus PL taken at various physiological states (follicle IPVL, ovulated IPVL, oviposited IPVL, and/or outer perivitelline layer) strongly stimulated the acrosome reaction, the latest states being the most efficient. Although PL induced the acrosome reaction in the presence of extracellular Ca²⁺, it was not possible to induce hyperactivation in chicken spermatozoa. Taken together, these results emphasize the central role of Ca²⁺ in the in vitro initiation of the acrosome reaction in chickens and show specific features of this induction in birds.