Effect of the human cumulus oophorus on movement characteristics of human capacitated spermatozoa

The effect of human cumulus oophorus on movement characteristics of human spermatozoa previously incubated in vitro under capacitating conditions was studied using automated digital image analysis. When spermatozoa were incubated for a short time with whole cumuli, most of those that penetrated the cumulus intercellular matrix were characterized by a linear movement with small amplitudes of lateral head displacement, but with elevated values of beat cross frequency. Short (5 min) incubation with solubilized cumulus intercellular matrix of spermatozoa preincubated in capacitating conditions (6 h) significantly reduced the percentage of spermatozoa showing the 'hyperactivated' type of motility characterized by high curvilinear velocity, low progressive velocity and elevated values of lateral head displacement. Moreover, a subpopulation of spermatozoa with very high values of progressive velocity and beat cross frequency and with reduced amplitudes of lateral head displacement appeared in these conditions. This cumulus-related motility pattern was not seen in fresh spermatozoa or in those incubated in the absence of cumulus material. Changes in the sperm movement characteristics similar to those observed in the presence of the solubilized cumulus matrix could also be induced by some of its h.p.l.c. fractions. These results show that the intercellular matrix of the human cumulus oophorus exerts a specific effect on human sperm motility, probably acting preferentially on the 'hyperactivated' sperm subpopulation.