Influence of polymorphonuclear granulocytes on the zona-free hamster oocyte assay.

To gain more insight into a possible detrimental influence of polymorphonuclear granulocytes (PMN) on fertility, PMN were added to spermatozoa and oocytes in the hamster oocyte assay. Addition of 2.5 x 10(6)/ml PMN to the sperm suspension at the start of the first incubation period (capacitation period) resulted in a significant decrease (P less than 0.

Influence of complement on sperm motility.

Isolated sperm from normo-, oligo- and astheno-spermic men were incubated for 20 h in medium supplemented with 8% heat-inactivated or untreated human serum, and in medium with heated or untreated serum deficient in complement factor C3. Before and after incubation, sperm motility was assessed by means of a computer-assisted semen analyser. The results did not show significant differences between the motility of sperm incubated in heated or untreated serum.

Antibody and complement-binding activity of viable and nonviable human spermatozoa.

Antibody and complement fixation by viable and nonviable spermatozoa were studied by means of immunofluorescence and a hemolytic assay (CH-50). Spermatozoa were incubated in sera from fertile male and female donors and in peritoneal fluid from fertile women undergoing laparoscopy. Nonviable spermatozoa were able to bind antibody or complement from sera and peritoneal fluid.

Activation of polymorphonuclear leukocytes by spermatozoa.

Human spermatozoa activated human polymorphonuclear leukocytes (PMN) in the presence of serum. Activation of PMN was studied by measuring the emission of chemiluminescence by the PMN. The amount of chemiluminescence emitted depended on the number of spermatozoa and the serum concentration, and the presence of antibody or complement.