Abstract
Summary
CSP has a reversible, partially heat-labile, antifertility effect on rabbit spermatozoa. In an in vivo fertilization assay for capacitation, CSP-treated sperm fertilize significantly fewer ova than do control sperm (P < 0.005). Heating the CSP to 60° for 10 min destroys some of the activity, while heating it to 100° for 10 min further attenuates it. In both cases, CSP-treated sperm still fertilize fewer ova than do control sperm (P = 0.005). CSP also contains partially heat-labile trypsin inhibitor activity which may be partially responsible for the antifertility activity.
This work supported in part by Grant HD06573 and Career Development Award 12,760 to one of us (C. E. H.) from the USPHS.
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