PROPERTIES OF DECAPACITATION FACTOR AND PRESENCE IN VARIOUS SPECIES

Abstract

Summary. Seminal plasma from eight species was assayed for decapacitation factor (df) activity. Seminal plasma from the bull, boar, stallion, rabbit and monkey all contained df activity whereas human, rooster and dog seminal plasma did not. The hypothesis is suggested that the presence, or absence, of df in the seminal plasma of a species is indicative of the need for, or lack of, capacitation within that species. Incubation of partially purified df with hyaluronidase, glucose oxidase, lysozyme or Pronase does not affect df activity ; however, such activity was destroyed by incubation with α- or β-amylase. Sialic acid, sialyl lactose and maltose were all ineffective in causing decapacitation or in preventing subsequent decapacitation of uterine sperm.