The release of hyaluronidase by rabbit sperm was measured, in vitro: (a) in uterine fluid from unilaterally ovariectomized rabbits, (b) in uterine fluid heated to 56°, (c) in postovulatory uterine fluid with added progesterone, and (d) in protein containing fractions of uterine fluid. Ovariectomy suppresses sperm hyaluronidase release as does heating of the uterine fluid or the increased availability of progesterone. The hyaluronidase releasing activity of uterine fluid is confined to one macromolecular fraction following gel filtration. The possible relationship of these results to the process of capacitation is discussed.
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Lewis et al. (1972) studied this question.