Effect of plasmin on movement characteristics of ejaculated bull spermatozoa

• Published in: Theriogenology Vol. 62; no. 3-4; pp. 553 - 561
• Main Authors: Taitzoglou, Ioannis A, Chapman, David A, Zervos, Ioannis A, Killian, Gary J
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: United States Elsevier Inc 01.08.2004
• Subjects: Animals; Cattle; dairy bulls; Fertilization; fertilization (reproduction); Fibrinolysin - administration & dosage; Fibrinolysin - pharmacology; Hyperactivation; Male; plasmin; Proteolytic enzymes; sperm motility; Sperm Motility - drug effects; Sperm motion; spermatozoa; Spermatozoa - physiology; Proteolytic enzymes; Sperm motion; Hyperactivation
• ISSN: 0093-691X; 1879-3231
• DOI: 10.1016/j.theriogenology.2003.11.016

Proteolytic enzymes appear to have an essential role in multiple phases of mammalian fertilization. Several observations suggest that the plasminogen activator/plasmin system might also play a role in mammalian fertilization. Movement characteristics of bovine sperm incubated with different concentrations of plasmin were investigated using a computer-assisted automated semen analysis system. Sperm were incubated up to 4h in a modified Tyrode’s medium (control) and 0.1, 1, 10 and 100mU/ml of plasmin. The percentage motile sperm was significantly higher at 0h for sperm incubated in 1, 10, and 100mU of plasmin. Relative to sperm incubated in control medium, lateral head displacement (ALH), curvilinear velocity, beat cross frequency, path velocity and straight line velocity (VSL) of sperm treated with 100mU of plasmin for 0h were increased. After 2h of incubation, sperm treated with 100mU of plasmin showed an increase in ALH, but a decrease in VSL, straightness and linearity. The effect of plasmin on most motility parameters appears to be direct since all these parameters were affected at 0h of incubation. Our results support the notion of hyperactivation of bovine spermatozoa following incubation with different concentrations of plasmin. The present work provides additional information to further characterize motility movement of bovine sperm associated with final preparation for fertilization.