RU486 Suppresses Progesterone-induced Acrosome Reaction in Boar Spermatozoa

The effects of progesterone on the acrosome reaction, as well as the effects of RU486 on the progesterone-induced acrosome reaction in capacitated boar spermatozoa, were investigated. Progesterone, a major steroid that is secreted by the cumulus cells of oocyte, clearly induced the acrosome reaction in a dose-dependent manner in capacitated boar spermatozoa, even though it failed to show similar effects in non-capacitated spermatozoa. RU486, a potent antiprogestin, significantly reduced the effects of progesterone on the progesterone-induced acrosome reaction; however, when treated alone, it showed no inhibitory effects on the acrosome reaction. The inhibitory effects of RU486 were also shown to be dose-dependent. These results imply that in addition to the well-known inducer of the acrosome reaction, zona pellucida, progesterone can also induce the acrosome reaction through its specific receptors on spermatozoa after the spermatozoa undergo capacitation