Fertilization: A Uterine Glycosaminoglycan Stimulates the Conversion of Sperm Proacrosin to Acrosin

Abstract

Acrosin is a proteinase required for mammalian fertilization, and in freshly ejaculated spermatozoa exists as an inactive zymogen, proacrosin. A factor present in uterine flushings of gilts stimulates the conversion of highly purified boar proacrosin to acrosin. Characterization of this factor indicates that its active component is a glycosaminoglycan.