Recombinant human zona pellucida-3 protein(rhZP3) induces the acrosome reaction in human sperm

Aim: To detect the capacity of recombinant human zona pellucida-3 protein(rhZP3) in inducing acrosome reaction of human sperm.Methods: Semen samples were obtained by masturbation after 2 to 3 days' abstinence from men with normal parameters on semen analysis according to World Health Organization criteria.After capacitation,the motile sperm were divided into groups which was separately incubated with BSA medium,progestone and different concentrations of rhZP3 to induce acrosome reaction(AR).The acrosome status of sperm was evaluated by Coomassie brilliant blue(CBB) staining. Result: After 30 minutes incubation in the medium,the sperm showed a significant difference between the rhZP3 group and the BSA group(P0.05) and the AR rate increased with the concentration of rhZP3.Conclusion: rhZP3 can induce the acrosome reaction and the percentage AR of sperm is correlated with the concentration of rhZP3 to some extent.These results suggest that the rhZP3 has the potential of development of diagnostic kits for the AR.