Carbohydrates are candidates for the basis of species-selective interaction of gametes during mammalian fertilization. In this study, we sought to clarify the roles of sugar residues in the species-selective, sperm-oocyte interaction in pigs and cattle. Acrosome-intact porcine and bovine sperm exhibited their strongest binding affinities for β-Gal and α-Man residues, respectively. Porcine-sperm...

abalone sperm appears simply to be concerned in the penetration part of the fertilization process. Summary.-A lytic agent having the property of dissolving the egg membrane has been extracted from sperm of the giant keyhole limpet (Megathura crenulata). The lysin is non-dialyzable and readily inactivated by heat. It precipitates upon saturation of the extract with ammonium sulphate. The precipi...

We have developed an assay for detecting the acrosome reaction in mouse sperm using chlortetracycline (CTC) as a fluorescent probe. Sperm known to be intact with nonreacted acrosomes show CTC fluorescence in the presence of Ca2+ over the anterior portion of the sperm head on the plasma membrane covering the acrosome. Sperm which have undergone the acrosome reaction do not show fluorescence on t...

In this study, we analysed the distribution of beta tubulins to detect spindle and cytoplasmic microtubules, alpha acetylated tubulins for sperm microtubules and chromatin configuration in oocytes showing fertilization failure after conventional IVF or intracytoplasmic sperm injection (ICSI). A total of 450 human oocytes that failed to fertilize were studied 20-40 h after IVF or ICSI. In all, 2...

Both Neodiplogaster pinicola and Panagrellus redivivoides reproduce amphimictically, with XO type of sex determination. In N. pinicola, primary spermatocytes have six bivalent chromosomes and one univalent; after two meiotic divisions, sperm are produced with either six or seven chromosomes. In primary oocytes, with seven bivalents, meiosis is initiated by entrance of a sperm. After two meiotic...

Fertilization is the cornerstone of development where the two differentiated cells, sperm and egg set the stage for embryogenesis, for which competency of the gametes is essential. Yet only rudimentary knowledge is available on the molecules and mechanisms involved in sperm-egg interactions leading to zygotic development. This is underscored in consideration that 30-50 % of male-factor infertil...

This study examined whether washing and preincubation of boar spermatozoa was necessary to achieve high in vitro penetration rates of pig oocytes. In experiment 1, diluted, sperm-rich fractions, stored for 24 h at 16 degrees C (stored diluted sperm) were used. After centrifugation once at 50 g for 3 min, the supernatant was concentrated at 1200 g for 3 min. The pellets were washed (1200 g for 3...

The presence of various cytokines, namely the tumor necrosis factor (TNF-alpha), interferon (IFN-gamma), and interleukins (IL-1 beta and IL-6), was investigated in seminal plasma of fertile, infertile, and immunoinfertile men using specific immunoradiometric assays. TNF-alpha and IL-1 beta were not detected. IFN-gamma was detected, but the differences between the levels of fertile and infertile...

The oviduct provides the natural micro-environment for gamete interaction, fertilization and early embryo development in mammals, such as the cow. In conventional culture systems, bovine oviduct epithelial cells (BOEC) undergo a rapid loss of essential differentiated cell properties; we aimed to develop a more physiological in vitro oviduct culture system capable of supporting fertilization. U-...