ISSN:
0148-7280
Keywords:
oocyte
;
fertilization
;
incorporation cone
;
Life and Medical Sciences
;
Cell & Developmental Biology
Source:
Wiley InterScience Backfile Collection 1832-2000
Topics:
Biology
Notes:
At the time of in vivo sperm-egg fusion in the rat, a small region of the oolemma under the head of the fertilizing sperm is observed to be free of microvilli. The microvilli-free region increases in area, and by one hour after sperm-egg contact extends over an area 20-30 μ in circumference and bulges out to form an “incorporation cone” visible by light microscopy. The microvilli-free incorporation cone reaches its maximum size at about two hours after sperm-egg interaction. It soon becomes smaller and has disappeared three to four hours after sperm-oocyte fusion. The cone cytoplasm is characterized by a 0.1 μ zone of thin filaments below the plasma membrane. Cytochalasin-B, 2.5 μg/ml, prevents formation of the cone or destroys the intact cone. It is suggested that micro filaments may be involved in the formation of the incorporation cone.
Additional Material:
15 Ill.
Type of Medium:
Electronic Resource
URL:
http://dx.doi.org/10.1002/mrd.1120010106
