Fertilization in the Mouse

Wassarman, Paul M.

doi:10.1007/978-1-4757-8982-9_9

Cited by 11 publications

(8 citation statements)

References 29 publications

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“…A coordinated acrosome reaction is generally seen when a spermatozoon first contacts the zona pellucida and, in many if not all species, may be initiated by sperm binding to the surface of the zona pellucida (Szöllösi & Hunter, 1978; Wassarman, 1991; Yanagimachi, 1994). After the oocyte(s) has been penetrated and activated, increasing numbers of spermatozoa are released from the caudal isthmus and gain the site of fertilisation but too late to cause polyspermic penetration of the vitellus.…”

Section: Gamete and Embryo Progression In The Oviductmentioning

confidence: 99%

Components of oviduct physiology in eutherian mammals

2011

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Recalling the evolutionary sequence of development first of gonad and subsequently of oviducts, ovarian endocrine regulation of all known components of oviduct physiology is reviewed. Ovaries not only influence oviducts via the systemic blood circulation, but also locally by counter-current transfer of relatively high concentrations of steroid hormones and prostaglandins between the ovarian vein and oviduct branch of the ovarian artery. The efficiency and impact of such counter-current transfer is greatest around the time of ovulation, the transfer process receiving further inputs from hormones present in peritoneal fluid. Classical oviduct physiology is summarised, and the potential molecular consequences of temperature gradients within the duct lumen examined. At ovulation, an oocyte-cumulus complex is displaced in minutes from the follicular surface to the site of fertilisation at the ampullary-isthmic junction of the oviduct. This rapid initial phase is contrasted with the subsequent slow progression of embryos to the uterus in days, still encompassed within a zona pellucida. Regarding transport of spermatozoa, the formation of a pre-ovulatory reservoir in the caudal portion of the oviduct isthmus is noted, with suppression of motility and sperm-head binding to epithelial organelles acting to maintain fertilising ability. Completion of capacitation is prompted shortly before ovulation, predominantly by Ca(2+) influx into bound spermatozoa. A controlled release of spermatozoa coupled with their hyperactivation results in initial sperm:egg ratios at the site of fertilisation close to unity, thereby avoiding the pathological condition of polyspermy. Both the oviduct milieu and embryonic development are influenced by paracrine activity of follicular granulosa cells released at ovulation and remaining in suspension in the vicinity of the oocyte or embryo. These cells may amplify early pregnancy signals from a zygote to the endosalpinx. Beneficial effects of the oviduct on domestic animal embryos are contrasted with anomalies arising as a consequence of in vitro culture. Primate embryos do not require exposure to an oviduct for normal development, perhaps due to overlapping compositions of endosalpingeal and endometrial secretions. Additionally, primate endometrial secretions may be modified by viable gametes or an embryo in the presence of a cumulus cell suspension.

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Section: Gamete and Embryo Progression In The Oviductmentioning

confidence: 99%

Components of oviduct physiology in eutherian mammals

2011

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“…The latter participate in the establishment of a block to polyspermic fertilization. Each of these events has been investigated in some detail at both the ultrastructural and molecular level and resulted in an extensive literature (Yanagimachi, 1994;Hardy, 2002;Wassarman, 2003).…”

mentioning

confidence: 99%

“…A current model for fertilization in mice involves two ZP glycoproteins, mZP2 and mZP3 (Wassarman, 2003). Sperm with an intact acrosome, a secretory vesicle overlying the sperm head, bind to mZP3 in the ZP of unfertilized eggs.…”

mentioning

confidence: 99%

Contribution of mouse egg zona pellucida glycoproteins to gamete recognition during fertilization

Wassarman

2005

Journal Cellular Physiology

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For sperm to fertilize eggs, they must first bind to the thick zona pellucida (ZP) that surrounds the plasma membrane of all unfertilized mammalian eggs. An extensive literature suggests that mouse sperm recognize and bind to a specific ZP glycoprotein called mZP3. However, the role of individual ZP glycoproteins in binding of mouse sperm to eggs has been called into question by recent transgenic experiments with null mice. Results of such experiments have been interpreted to mean that binding of sperm depends on the supramolecular structure of the ZP, not on an individual ZP glycoprotein. Here, it is argued that results of these transgenic experiments actually are consistent with the prevailing view of gamete recognition that implicates a specific ZP glycoprotein in both binding of mouse sperm to eggs and induction of the acrosome reaction.

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“…But possible modifications also to the egg surface must not be overlooked, such as a gradual loss of receptors for sperm binding on the surface of the zona pellucida. These have been examined in some detail in the mouse egg (Wassarman 1991).…”

Section: Contrasts Between Male and Female Gametesmentioning

confidence: 99%