The time-dependent effects of prostate granules and seminal plasma on the capacitation, acrosome reaction, and motility of rabbit sperm

The present study investigated the role of rabbit seminal plasma and prostate granules on capacitation, the acrosomal reaction (AR), and sperm motility. Semen ejaculates obtained from five mature New Zealand White rabbit bucks in three collection series were used in the study. Raw semen, Percoll-selected sperm alone and in presence of either seminal plasma or prostate granules were incubated for 120min in capacitation medium. Chlortetracycline fluorescence (reflecting capacitation and the acrosome reaction) and sperm kinetic traits were analysed in each sample. All traits were observed from 0 to 120min of incubation at 37°C in 5% CO2. Both seminal plasma and prostatic granules markedly improved the sperm motility but seminal plasma mainly inhibited the capacitation progress whereas prostatic granules inhibited the AR. In conclusion, prostatic granules and seminal plasma have specific roles in synchronising sperm capacitation and the AR with egg availability. © 2013 Elsevier B.V.