Biosynthesis of prostaglandins by human spermatozoa in vitro and their role in acrosome reaction and fertilization.

Five homogenates of human sperm cells were separately incubated with [14C]arachidonic acid in the presence of reduced glutathione, L-tryptophan, and haematin as cofactors. The cyclooxygenase products of arachidonic acid metabolism were extracted, separated, and measured for their radioactivity. The rate of formation of prostaglandin (PG)D2, PGE2, PGF2 alpha, 6-keto PGF1 alpha, and thromboxane (TX)B2 were 18.0 +/- 1.11, 10.9 +/- 0.68, 5.8 +/- 0.21, 3.9 +/- 0.13 and 6.6 +/- 0.52 pmol/10(6) cells/min, respectively. These results are discussed in relation to the hypothesis that cyclooxygenase metabolites of certain polyunsaturated fatty acids play an important part in the sperm acrosome reaction and fertilization.