STUDIES ON SPERM MOTILITY AND FERTILIZING ABILITY

将研究其生理和功能意义， 在获得维生素C的过程中发生的生化变化 精子的能力。 这些过程将使用新的 我们的实验室的发现使这种方法成为可能。 的 顶体反应与精子的功能关系 卵包埋物（颗粒细胞层和卵母细胞）的穿透 pellucida）将使用体外微孵育进行研究 我们设计的施肥系统， 维持精子活力的因素。 该系统将允许 待鉴定的精子及其顶体状况的详细信息 在它穿过鸡蛋投资时被记录下来。 信息将 也可以提供在卵-积云复合体内的位置上， 腐败顶体反应诱导因子 该信息可以 最终有助于阐明顶体反应的机制， 目前尚不清楚。 将进行相关研究， 精子获能/顶体反应的生化参数（循环 核苷酸和磷脂变化以及药理学参数） 使用一种新的技术，可以获得比较数据， 运动性很强但没有能力的精子。 本研究将重点 对精子的生化特性和 直接参与获能/顶体反应序列。 的 总体研究将提供新的，精确的数据， 精子导致受精;目前这些机制是 晦涩难懂。 迫切需要这种信息，以促进 关于改变人类生育特征的富有成效的研究。

The functional significance will be investigated of physiological and biochemical changes taking place during acquisition of fertilizing ability by spermatozoa. These processes will be studied using new methodology made possible in part by discoveries in our laboratory. The functional relationship between the acrosome reaction and sperm penetration of the egg investments (granulosa cell layer and zona pellucida) will be investigated using a micro-incubation in vitro fertilization system that we have devised, featuring chemically defined factors that sustain sperm motility. This system will permit the fertilizing sperm to be identified and details of its acrosomal condition to be recorded as it traverses the egg investments. Information will also be provided on the location within the egg-cumulus complex of the putatuve acrosome-reaction inducing factor. This information could eventually assist elucidation of the mechanism of the acrosome reaction, which is presently unknown. Related studies will be performed to examine biochemical parameters of sperm capacitation/acrosome reactions (cyclic nucleotide and phospholipid changes, and pharmacological parameters) using a new technique that permits comparative data to be obtained on highly motile but non-capacitated sperm. This study will focus critically on biochemical properties of sperm and events that are directly concerned in the capacitation/acrosome reaction sequence. The overall study will provide new, precise data on processes taking place in sperm that lead to fertilization; at present these mechanisms are obscure. Such information is urgently needed in order to facilitate productive research on the alteration of human fertility characteristics.