[The influence of various molecules on the occurrence of the human sperm acrosome reaction].

The acrosome reaction is essential for fertilization, but the mechanism of the acrosome reaction of human spermatozoa is not clear at the present time. We studied the mechanism to analyze the cause of unexplained infertility, the appropriate timing of insemination, and the environment of spermatozoa prior to fertilization. For this study, we examined the effects of Ca++, Mg++, Kallikrein, Phospholipase A2, p-bromophenacyl bromide (Phospholipase A2 specific inhibitor), Lysophosphatidyl choline, Arachidonic acid, and Glyceryl monooleate using in vitro penetration assay employing zona- free hamster eggs.

[Effects of the addition of serum albumin on penetration of human spermatozoa into zona-free hamster eggs].

Since Yanagimachi et al. (1976) suggested that human spermatozoa were capable of penetrating into zona-free hamster eggs, this in vitro assay has been used to analyse the fertilizing ability of human spermatozoa. Serum albumin is an important constituent of the medium used for the assay.

[Prediction of Ovulation and timing of AIH].

The relation among ultrasonographic follicular diameter, serum estradiol (E2), luteinizing hormone (LH), cervical mucus changes, and basal body temperature (BBT) was studied. One hundred and eight cycles were examined in forty-two infertile patients. The last low day of the BBT curve was taken as day zero.

[Classification of human oocyte maturity].

Maturity of human oocytes was classified into five grades according to the appearance of the oocyte and the cumulus oophorus (Grade I-V). The relation between this "Grade" of oocyte and the state of fertilization was investigated and the following results were obtained. The proportion of fertilized eggs cleaving in vitro was higher when oocytes graded I or II were collected than when oocytes graded III, IV or V were obtained (76% vs.

[Prolactin releasing activity in serum of pregnant women and patients with galactorrhea-amenorrhea syndrome].

Serum samples obtained from 18 normal men and women, 24 pregnant women of the third trimester, and 8 patients with galactorrhea-amenorrhea syndrome (GAS) were subjected to a 3-phase methanol extraction. The serum extract released prolactin (PRL) specifically from rat anterior pituitary in vitro. The PRL releasing activity (PRA) was dependent on the incubation time and dose of serum extract, while independent on TRH or PRL in serum.