Calcium Influx in Equine Sperm Treated With Calcium Ionophore in the Presence or Absence of Protein

Standard equine in vitro fertilization (IVF) has had poor success; this has been attributed to an inability to capacitate equine sperm in vitro. One treatment shown by several laboratories to result in validated equine IVF is exposure of sperm to the calcium ionophore A23187. While sometimes successful (up to 30% reported fertilization), the results have been variable. The reason for this variability is unclear. Little information is available on the effect of A23187 on calcium influx into equine sperm, or on procedural factors that affect this influx.
Source: Journal of Equine Veterinary Science - Category: Veterinary Research Authors: Source Type: research