Video imaging of the sperm acrosome reaction during in vitro fertilization

Mammalian spermatozoa become competent for fusion with oocytes while traveling through the female reproductive tract and the oocyte´s extracellular investments. Recent studies highlighted the molecular mechanism of the sperm´s interactions with the zona pellucida (ZP), the extracellular coat surroun...

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Detalhes bibliográficos
Autores: Hirohashi, Noritaka, Gerton, George L., Buffone, Mariano Gabriel
Formato: artículo
Estado:Versión publicada
Fecha de publicación:2011
País:Argentina
Recursos:Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas
Repositorio:CONICET Digital (CONICET)
Idioma:inglés
OAI Identifier:oai:ri.conicet.gov.ar:11336/10487
Acesso em linha:http://hdl.handle.net/11336/10487
Access Level:acceso abierto
Palavra-chave:ACROSOMAL EXOCYTOSIS
SPERM
FERTILIZATION
ACROSOME
https://purl.org/becyt/ford/1.6
https://purl.org/becyt/ford/1
Descrição
Resumo:Mammalian spermatozoa become competent for fusion with oocytes while traveling through the female reproductive tract and the oocyte´s extracellular investments. Recent studies highlighted the molecular mechanism of the sperm´s interactions with the zona pellucida (ZP), the extracellular coat surrounding the oocyte. Fertilizing spermatozoa initiate the sperm acrosome reaction (AR), essential for zona penetration and fusion with the oocyte plasma membrane, before they reach the ZP. However, the exact condition of spermatozoa that leads to successful penetration of the ZP remains unknown. We performed microscopic observations of in vitro fertilization with genetically (EGFP) and chemically (antibody and lectin) labeled spermatozoa to monitor the progression of the AR. Spermatozoa exhibiting EGFP(-)/PNA(+) prior to binding to the ZP initiated zona penetration. This result suggests that spermatozoa that have undergone the AR are still capable of binding and penetrating the ZP.