INHIBITION OF FERTILIZATION <i>IN VIVO</i> BY PANCREATIC AND SEMINAL PLASMA TRYPSIN INHIBITORS

Abstract

Summary. Treatment of capacitated rabbit spermatozoa with pancreatic trypsin inhibitor or partially purified seminal plasma trypsin inhibitor and subsequent insemination of such spermatozoa into the oviducts of ovulated rabbits markedly inhibited fertilization. Washing the spermatozoa to remove excess inhibitor did not affect the antifertility action of pancreatic trypsin inhibitor. Seminal plasma trypsin inhibitor was purified by specific binding to a trypsin-maleic anhydride-ethylene copolymer and Sephadex G-25 and G-50 column chromatography. A 500-fold purification was obtained.