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Hum. Reprod. Advance Access published online on June 3, 2004
Human Reproduction, doi:10.1093/humrep/deh281
© 2004 by European Society of Human Reproduction and Embryology
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Received January 15, 2004
Accepted April 1, 2004

Article

Establishment of a capillary-cumulus model to study the selection of sperm for fertilization by the cumulus oophorus

S.J. Hong 1, P.C. Chiu 2, K.F. Lee 2, J.M.Y. Tse 3, P.C. Ho 2, W.S.B. Yeung 2*

1 Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, University of Hong Kong, Queen Mary Hospital, Pokfulam, Hong Kong, China; Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, Second Affiliated Hospital, Sun Yat-sen University, 107 West Yan Jiang Road, Guangzhou 510120, Guangdong, China
2 Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, University of Hong Kong, Queen Mary Hospital, Pokfulam, Hong Kong, China
3 Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, University of Hong Kong, Queen Mary Hospital, Pokfulam, Hong Kong, China; Innovation and Technology Commission, 14/F, Ocean Centre, 5 Canton Road, Kowloon, Hong Kong, China

* To whom correspondence should be addressed. E-mail: wsbyeung{at}hkucc.hku.hk.


  Abstract

BACKGROUND: Spermatozoa have to traverse the cumulus oophorus before fertilization in vivo. Evidence suggests that the cumulus oophorus plays an important role in the fertilization process. We describe the establishment of a capillary-cumulus oophorus model with which to study the action of cumulus mass on the function of human spermatozoa. METHODS: Human cumulus oophorus was aspirated into a glass capillary. Spermatozoa were allowed to pass through the cumulus mass in the capillary from one end of the capillary. The spermatozoa that had traversed the mass were collected at the other end of the capillary and underwent sperm function analyses. RESULTS: Compared with those spermatozoa cultured in medium alone, spermatozoa exposed to the cumulus mass were more likely to have normal morphology, be capacitated and acrosome reacted, with a distinct motility pattern and better zona-binding capacity. CONCLUSION: A novel in vitro model for spermatozoa penetration through the cumulus oophorus was established. The model can be applied to investigate the effect of the cumulus oophorus on sperm functions.

Key words: cumulus oophorus/human spermatozoa


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