Veterinary Andrology and Reproductive Techniques

INTRODUCTION

Acrosome cap is formed from golgi apparatus. It contains the enzymes essential for penetrating the oocyte.

• Acrosome a cap like structure on the head of the spermatozoa covers 60% of the anterior portion of the sperm head.
• The morphology of the acrosome should be maintained for the sperm to undergo capacitation and acrosome reaction in the female reproductive tract for attaining fertilizing ability.
• Appreciable modifications to the structure of the plasma membrane and the outer acrosomal membrane follow after capacitation has run its course, in the form of acrosome reaction.
• Acrosome reaction consists of fusion at multiple points between the two membranes and formation of vesicles made up of fragments of two membranes.
• The sperm must be able to undergo these changes in the female reproductive tract to attain fertilizing ability by release of specific enzymes.
• The subcellular enzymes present in the acrosome facilitate dissolution and penetration of the zona by the spermatozoa which will leads to the union of male and female nucleus.
• For this to happen the acrosome should be intact. Maintenance of optimum fertility depends on the acrosome being structurally and biochemically intact.
• Acrosome can be detached from sperm under the influence of different physical and chemical factors.
• Freezing and thawing can also bring about damage to the acrosome.
• Hence the acrosomal cap has received considerable attention in sperm morphology due to its importance during fertilization.
• Any damage or loss of the acrosome leads to infertility or sterility problem. Hence the evaluation of the acrosomal status gets importance.
• The acrosome is evaluated by the Giemsa stain.

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