Epithelial cell coculture and the induction of sperm capacitation

Objective To investigate the influence of cultured human oviductal epithelial cells on the movement characteristics of human spermatozoa. Design Human spermatozoa were cultured with monolayers of human epithelial or Vero cells or conditioned media derived from these cell types. The viability and movement characteristics of the cells was subsequently analyzed at 4, 24, and 48hours. Setting University hospital and Medical Research Council laboratories. Patients, Participants Volunteer donors. Main Outcome Measures Movement characteristics of human spermatozoa. Results The presence of both Vero and oviductal epithelial cells, but not conditioned media, had a general promoting effect on sperm survival, significantly enhancing sperm viability and motility for up to 48hours of culture. In addition, the presence of oviductal epithelial cells had a specific, significant stimulatory effect on sperm capacitation, enhancing the incidence of hyperactivated motility after 4, 24, and 48hours of culture. Significantly, this effect was not observed with cocultures containing Vero cells. Conclusions The coincubation of human spermatozoa with human oviductal epithelial cells provides a convenient system for the induction and analysis of sperm capacitation.