Influence of theophylline supplementation on oocyte penetration of canine epididymal spermatozoa

The influence of supplementation of theophylline to the medium regarding the penetration of canine epididymal spermatozoa into immature oocytes was examined. In the control medium, sperm penetration into the oocytes was observed in 8 of 13 dogs (61.5%), and the mean penetration rate was 22.0%. The penetration rate of individual dogs ranged from 0 to 64.9%. Supplementation of 0.1, 1.0 and 2.5 mM theophylline to the medium did not significantly affect sperm penetration. Sperm penetration was induced by supplementation of 2.5 mM theophylline in two dogs that showed no sperm penetration in the control group. Penetration of the epididymal spermatozoa into the oocytes was shown to vary among individual dogs in cases of the absence and presence of theophylline.