Decreased fertility resulting from treatment of fowl spermatozoa with neuraminidase or phospholipase c.

The effect of altering the surface topography of fowl spermatozoal plasma membranes on subsequent fertilizing ability was studied by exposing Single Comb White Leghorn spermatozoa to neuraminidase or phospholipase c. Semen was diluted 1:1 with Beltsville Poultry Semen Extender (BPSE) or BPSE containing 40 IU/ml neuraminidase or 100 IU/ml phospholipase c, then incubated 30 min at 25 C before intravaginal insemination. Incubation of spermatozoa with either enzyme did not reduce motility or lyse spermatozoa as monitored by glutamate oxaloacetate transaminase release. However, fertility was depressed by neuraminidase or phospholipase c, 54 and 4%, respectively, compared to 88% for the incubated control. Intravaginal deposition of enzyme solutions 30 min prior to insemination with BPSE diluted semen did not affect fertility. This study demonstrates that alteration of carbohydrate and phospholipid moieties of the spermatozoal plasma membrane decreases fertility without reducing motility.