Effect of fructose on motility, acrosome reaction and fertilization capability of boar spermatozoa.

The present study was carried out to investigate the effects of fructose supplementation in glucose containing mTALP medium on motility, acrosome reaction and fertilization capability of boar spermatozoa. Boar spermatozoa were preincubated, swum-up, resuspended and then incubated for 6 h in mTALP medium supplemented with 0, 0.5, or 1.0 mmol fructose in the presence of 5.0 mmol glucose. After completion of the specified incubation period, motility was determined subjectively on the basis of speed of progression and on the type of forward movement of spermatozoa; acrosome status was evaluated by applying a triple staining technique; and fertilization capability was assessed by acetic-orcein staining. The combination of fructose and glucose (0.5 + 5.0 mmol) supplements in mTALP medium improved sperm motility significantly ( 0.05), more than glucose alone (5.0 mmol) at 2-6 h of incubation. Acrosome reaction (live spermatozoa) and the sperm penetration rate was increased significantly ( 0.05) when the spermatozoa were treated with the combination of fructose and glucose compared with glucose alone, but the incidence of polyspermy was not significantly different between the treatments. These results suggest that the combination of glucose and fructose as supplements in mTALP medium improve the progressive motility, acrosome reaction and fertilization capability of boar spermatozoa. (Reprod Med Biol 2006; 255-261).