Yeoman R R, Jones W D, Rizk B M
Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, College of Medicine, University of South Alabama, Mobile 36688, USA.
J Androl. 1998 Jan-Feb;19(1):58-64.
Involvement of reactive oxygen species has been implicated in the process of hyperactivation and capacitation of sperm. Nitric oxide has recently been found to function both as an intracellular and extracellular messenger, with its synthetic enzyme found in several cell types, including male and female genital tract organs. The objective of the present study was to investigate the role of nitric oxide in hamster sperm hyperactivation. Caudal epididymal contents of mature golden hamster sperm were diluted with human tubal medium supplemented with a sperm motility preparation. Inhibitors of nitric oxide synthase (nitro-L-arginine, methyl-L-arginine, and 1,3-phenylene-bis[1,2-ethenediyl]-bis-isothiourea) were added to incubation media in various doses. Alternatively, a nitric oxide donor, sodium nitroprusside, was used. The percentage motile and grade of movement were recorded at intervals encompassing the normal period of capacitation and hyperactivation. Acrosomal status was evaluated by phase contrast microscopy. Inhibition of nitric oxide synthesis did not affect motility during early capacitation but dramatically inhibited later hyperactivation. An inactive stereo-enantomere of the inhibiting drug had no effect. Addition of nitric oxide to nonstimulated sperm induced hyperactivation in a similar time course. In conclusion, nitric oxide plays a significant role in hyperactivation of hamster epididymal sperm.
活性氧的参与已被认为与精子的超活化和获能过程有关。一氧化氮最近被发现既作为细胞内信使又作为细胞外信使发挥作用，其合成酶存在于包括雄性和雌性生殖道器官在内的多种细胞类型中。本研究的目的是探讨一氧化氮在仓鼠精子超活化中的作用。将成熟金黄仓鼠精子的附睾尾部内容物用人输卵管培养基稀释，并添加精子活力制剂。将一氧化氮合酶抑制剂（硝基-L-精氨酸、甲基-L-精氨酸和1,3-亚苯基-双[1,2-乙二烯基]-双-异硫脲）以不同剂量添加到孵育培养基中。或者，使用一氧化氮供体硝普钠。在涵盖正常获能和超活化时期的间隔时间记录活动精子的百分比和运动等级。通过相差显微镜评估顶体状态。一氧化氮合成的抑制在早期获能期间不影响活力，但显著抑制后期的超活化。抑制药物的无活性立体异构体没有作用。向未受刺激的精子中添加一氧化氮在相似的时间进程中诱导超活化。总之，一氧化氮在仓鼠附睾精子的超活化中起重要作用。
