Question

Given below are two statements:
Statement I: Brief exposure of washed bovine semen to the saturated solution of EDTA is done to increase IVF results by capacitation
Statement II: Brief exposure of washed bovine semen to high ionic strength media (380 mOsm) or heparin is done to increase IVF result by capacitation
In the light of the above statements, choose the most appropriate answer from the options given below

• A. Both Statement I and Statement II are true
• B. Both Statement I and Statement II are false
• C. Statement I is correct but Statement II is false
• D. Statement I is incorrect but Statement II is true

Hint:

Bovine Sperm Capacitation in IVF: Induced by HEPARIN, Calcium Ionophores (A23187), and High Ionic Strength Media (380 mOsm). EDTA inhibits fertilization by chelating essential $\text{Ca}^{2+}$.

Answer 1

The Correct Option is D

Step 1: Understanding the Concept:
In vitro sperm capacitation in cattle requires physiological modulators that trigger cholesterol efflux and calcium influx, whereas saturated EDTA strips divalent cations and impairs sperm viability.

Step 2: Detailed Explanation:
1. Statement I: EDTA is a strong chelator of divalent cations ($\text{Ca}^{2+}$ and $\text{Mg}^{2+}$). Because intracellular calcium influx is strictly essential for sperm hyperactivation and acrosome reaction, exposure to saturated EDTA immobilizes spermatozoa and inhibits capacitation. Hence, Statement I is incorrect.
2. Statement II: In bovine in vitro fertilization (IVF), washed bull spermatozoa are standardly capacitated in vitro by brief incubation with Heparin ($10\;\mu\text{g/mL}$) or high ionic strength saline media ($380\text{ mOsm/kg}$), which removes decapacitating seminal plasma surface proteins, promotes membrane cholesterol efflux, and triggers the acrosome reaction. Hence, Statement II is true.

Step 3: Final Answer:
Hence, Statement I is incorrect but Statement II is true, corresponding to option (D).