Phorbol myristate acetate induces ruffling of the acrosome of human sperm

Abstract

Objective: To determine the effect of phorbol myristate acetate (PMA) on human acrosome morphology and the acrosome reaction. Design: Controlled experiments on sperm and unfertilized oocytes from volunteers. Setting: Academic research and teaching tertiary hospital. Patient(s): Sperm samples were from normospermic men and unfertilized oocytes from IVF patients. Main Outcome Measure(s): Acrosome morphology was assessed by using transmission and scanning electron microscopy. The acrosome reaction was assessed by using fluorescein-labeled Pisum sativum agglutinin. Result(s): PMA induced acrosome ruffling, indicated by a marked wavy appearance. A significant correlation was found between PMA-ind..