The effects of prolactin on human sperm capacitation and acrosome reaction

To study the effects of human prolactin (PRL) on human sperm capacitation and acrosome reaction. Acrosome reactions were induced by the addition of follicular fluid (FF) and progesterone (P). Experiments were performed to determine time and dose-dependent effects of PRL on sperm capacitation, potentiation of the acrosome reaction, decapacitating effects, and potential for PRL to induce an acrosome reaction. An average of 31.5% of spermatozoa underwent acrosome reaction with addition of FF and P. No time- or dose-dependent PRL effects on sperm capacitation or acrosome reaction were found (P > 0.05). Prolactin does not play an important role in human sperm capacitation or acrosome reaction.