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* To whom correspondence should be addressed. E-mail: qxshi{at}mail.hz.zj.cn.
To explore the biological characteristics of the recombinant zona pellucida 3 (ZP3) peptides of rhuZP3a22~176 and rhuZP3b177~348, we examined whether rhuZP3a22~176 or rhuZP3b177~348 may trigger acrosome reaction of human spermatozoa and the possible mechanism. The assessment of acrosome reaction was performed using chlortetracycline staining. Intracellular free calcium concentration ([Ca2+]i) in Fura-2/AM-loaded human sperm was monitored with spectrofluorophotometer. We found that the peptides rhuZP3a22~176 and rhuZP3b177~348 were significantly capable of eliciting acrosome reaction at different concentrations, respectively. With an addition of either peptide, [Ca2+]i level was raised like a peak with or without a plateau. The acrosome reaction could be inhibited by G protein sensitivity pertussis toxin (PTX), EGTA and pimozide (a T-type calcium channel blocker), whereas verapamil was less effective. This study suggests that the peptides rhuZP3a22~176 and rhuZP3b177~348 have a role similar to human ZP3, the mechanism in response to the peptides may involve in influx of calcium, G protein pathway and T-type calcium channel.
Key words: Semen
Sperm
G protein
calcium channel
chlortetracycline
intracellular calcium
pertussis toxin
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