Phospholipase A2 activation by hydrogen peroxide during in vitro capacitation of buffalo spermatozoa.

Progressively motile, washed buffalo spermatozoa (50 x 10(6) cells in 0.5 ml) were in vitro capacitated in HEPES containing Bovine Gamete Medium 3 (BGM3) in presence of heparin (10 microg/ml), and different concentrations of hydrogen peroxide (10 to 100 microM). Spermatozoa (60%) were capacitated in presence of heparin compared to 56% in presence of 25 microM H2O2 (optimally found suitable for capacitation). The extent of capacitation was measured in terms of acrosome reaction (AR) induced by lysophosphatidyl choline (100 microg/ml). The acrosome reacted cells were counted after triple staining. Catalase (100 microg/ml) significantly reduced the sperm capacitation to 16-18% when added with H2O2, or alone in the capacitation medium. Phospholipase A2 activity of spermatozoa increased linearly up to 50 microM H2O2 concentration included in the assay system. Moreover, significant increase in phospholipase A2 activity was observed after capacitation by both, the heparin and 25 microM H2O2. The activity was always higher in acrosome reacted cells.