Cover design Distinguishing partial and complete acrosome reactions. The cover of Molecular Human Reproduction shows an acrosome reaction induced by progesterone (upper panel) and by the Ca2+ ionophore, A23187 (lower panel). Using FACS analysis, a complete (but not partial) acrosome reaction is detected with a CD46 antibody which targets the inner acrosomal membrane. The spermatozoa are divided into four quadrants according to their acrosomal status and viability: live cells with intact acrosomes (lower left); dead cells permeable to propidium iodide with intact (top left) or reacted (top right) acrosomes; and live acrosome-reacted spermatozoa (lower right). Only A23187 caused a remarkable increase in the level of complete acrosome-reacted cells. Progesterone was found to induce only a partial acrosome reaction. For further details, see 214-219.
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