Fertilization involves several precisely coordinated steps, including sperm dispersal of the oocyte cumulus mass, adhesion and binding to the zona pellucida, penetration through the zona pellucida, and fusion with the oocyte. Hyaluronidase, which is present in the sperm head, is known to be essential for the decomposition of the oocyte cumulus mass. Interestingly, two types of hyaluronidase—SPA...

Previously, we produced a fertilization-blocking monoclonal antibody (MAb-5H4) to find a candidate peptide for a contraceptive vaccine. MAb-5H4 recognized a linear amino acid sequence of ZPA (No. 50-67) in pigs, humans and rabbits. In the present study, 18mer peptides corresponding to the sequence were conjugated with diphtheria toxoid as a carrier protein before immunization in rabbits. All th...

Up to the present time the function and significance of the zona pellucida in the development of mammalian eggs has not been fully explained. Zona-free mouse eggs will develop in vitro from the 2-cell stage, or later, up to the blastocyst stage (Tarkowski, 1961; Mintz, 1962; Gwatkin, 1963). Single blastomeres isolated at the 2-cell (Mulnard, 1965), 4and 8-cell stage (Tarkowski & Wróblewska, 196...

Up to the present time the function and significance of the zona pellucida in the development of mammalian eggs has not been fully explained. Zona-free mouse eggs will develop in vitro from the 2-cell stage, or later, up to the blastocyst stage (Tarkowski, 1961; Mintz, 1962; Gwatkin, 1963). Single blastomeres isolated at the 2-cell (Mulnard, 1965), 4and 8-cell stage (Tarkowski & Wróblewska, 196...

Up to the present time the function and significance of the zona pellucida in the development of mammalian eggs has not been fully explained. Zona-free mouse eggs will develop in vitro from the 2-cell stage, or later, up to the blastocyst stage (Tarkowski, 1961; Mintz, 1962; Gwatkin, 1963). Single blastomeres isolated at the 2-cell (Mulnard, 1965), 4and 8-cell stage (Tarkowski & Wróblewska, 196...

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 Ca" 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 ...

The specificity of sperm-egg recognition in mammals is mediated primarily by the zona pellucida surrounding ovulated eggs. Mouse sperm are quite promiscuous and bind to human eggs, but human spermatozoa will not bind to mouse eggs. The mouse zona pellucida contains three glycoproteins, ZP1, ZP2, and ZP3, which are conserved in rat and human. The recent observation that human zonae pellucidae co...

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...

The flagellar force generated by a hyperactivated monkey spermatozoon was evaluated using the resistive force theory applied to the activated (nonhyperactivated) and hyperactivated flagellar waves that were obtained using high-speed video microscopy and digital image processing in order to clarify the mechanism of sperm penetration through the zona pellucida. No difference in the maximum propul...

In many species, including the dog (Canis familiaris), semen analysis protocols has improved in recent years. In vitro assessment of semen quality provides important information; however, the ultimate parameter for determining semen quality is pregnancy outcome. The objective of the present study was to investigate the efficiency of in vitro sperm tests in predicting seminal quality in dogs by ...