Abstract
Ergothioneine (2-mercaptohistidine trimethylbetain) is ingested through dietary intake and absorbed, and its biosynthesis by intestinal flora is not observed. It is known to be effectively distributed in male and female reproductive organs. It also serves as a penetration carrier for incorporation of steroids into internal organs but does not increase the action of androgen. However, androgen takes part in the total amount and concentration of ergothioneine in seminal fluid and is present as a usual component of the seminal fluid. Its action on the spermatozoa was examined with ejaculated spermatozoa and epididymal spermatozoa of guinea pigs. It was thereby found that the respiration of spermatozoa with fructose as a substrate was accelerated by the presence of 0.2-2.0 mM of ergothioneine and respiratory inhibition by p-chloromercuribenzoate was recovered. Examination of the survival rate of spermatozoa by Eosin staining showed that the addition of 10mM of ergothioneine effected two-fold increase in survival rate in storate at 37° or 0° for 24 hr. At 0°, even the presence of 1 mM of ergothioneine had a protective action on spermatozoa.
