ISSN:
0148-7280
Keywords:
sperm-egg attachment
;
acrosome-intact sperm
;
zona-free oocyte
;
Life and Medical Sciences
;
Cell & Developmental Biology
Source:
Wiley InterScience Backfile Collection 1832-2000
Topics:
Biology
Notes:
The attachment of acrosome-intact mammalian sperm to zona-free hamster vitelli has been investigated using light and electron microscopy. Uncapacitated sperm from hamsters, stallions, bulls, rabbits, and humans can attach firmly to the oocyte surface by means of microvillus processes. The general appearance of such attachments mimics the events seen during the interaction of acrosome-reacted sperm with the oolemma. Very close, junction-like connections develop between apical portions of sperm and oolemma after initial attachment, but no evidence of sperm penetration was observed. Significant species differences were noted with respect to the avidity of the sperm-egg interaction. Bull, horse, and rabbit sperm showed a high degree of attraction for vitelli; hamster and human sperm interácted at a lower level. Thus, in the species tested, an acrosome reaction is not a prerequisite for sperm attachment to the zona-free oolemma.
Additional Material:
12 Ill.
Type of Medium:
Electronic Resource
URL:
http://dx.doi.org/10.1002/mrd.1120090209
