The Extraction of Acrosin from Human Spermatozoa

Two methods for the extraction of acrosin from ejaculated human spermatozoa have been compared. Method 1 consists of the successive extraction of washed spermatozoa first with water, second with a mixture of Hyamine and Triton X-100, and third with dilute acetic acid. Method 2 consists of the extraction of saline washed spermatozoa with dilute acetic acid. Method 1 yields nearly twice as much acrosin of a higher specific activity than Method 2. Method 2 yields a single band of amidase activity upon polyacrylamide electrophoresis. Method 1 also yields two additional bands of amidase activity.