Journal of Andrology
HOME HELP FEEDBACK SUBSCRIPTIONS ARCHIVE SEARCH TABLE OF CONTENTS
This Article
Right arrow Full Text (PDF)
Right arrow Alert me when this article is cited
Right arrow Alert me if a correction is posted
Services
Right arrow Similar articles in this journal
Right arrow Alert me to new issues of the journal
Right arrow Download to citation manager
Citing Articles
Right arrow Citing Articles via HighWire
Right arrow Citing Articles via Google Scholar
Google Scholar
Right arrow Articles by ORGEBIN-CRIST, M. C.
Right arrow Articles by FOURNIER-DELPECH, S.
Right arrow Search for Related Content
PubMed
Right arrow Articles by ORGEBIN-CRIST, M. C.
Right arrow Articles by FOURNIER-DELPECH, S.
Journal of Andrology, Vol 3, Issue 6 429-433, Copyright © 1982 by The American Society of Andrology

Sperm-Egg Interaction

Evidence for Maturational Changes During Epididymal Transit

M. C. ORGEBIN-CRIST 1 AND SUZANNE FOURNIER-DELPECH 1

1 Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Vanderbilt School of Medicine, Nashville, Tennessee

A study in vitro of interactions between uncapacitated rat spermatozoa and freshly ovulated rat oocytes showed that testicular spermatozoa were unable to adhere to the zona pellucida. On the other hand, spermatozoa from the cauda epididymidis adhered readily to the zona surface. Experiments with cauda spermatozoa, immobilized by a preincubation at 0 C, indicated that they were still able to attach to the zona pellucida, suggesting that the inability of testicular spermatozoa to interact with the zona was not primarily due to their lack of motility but rather to a defect in adhesive properties of the plasma membrane. Preincubation of testicular spermatozoa, with a purified glycoprotein secreted by the epididymis (PES), increased somewhat the ability of testicular spermatozoa to interact with the zona surface. These results show that epididymal spermatozoa acquire the ability to recognize and interact with the zona pellucida as they pass through the epididymis, and suggest that sperm coating with an androgen-dependent and specific glycoprotein, secreted by the epididymis, may regulate the initial contact with the egg investments.

     Key words: sperm, epididymis, egg, binding, rat

Accepted on June 2, 1982




This article has been cited by other articles:


Home page
 EndocrinologyHome page
K. G. Hamil, P. Sivashanmugam, R. T. Richardson, G. Grossman, S. M. Ruben, J. L. Mohler, P. Petrusz, M. G. O'Rand, F. S. French, and S. H. Hall
HE2{beta} and HE2{gamma}, New Members of an Epididymis-Specific Family of Androgen-Regulated Proteins in the Human
Endocrinology, March 1, 2000; 141(3): 1245 - 1253.
[Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]

Home page
 Biol. Reprod.Home page
C. Gaudreault, C. Légaré, B. Bérubé, and R. Sullivan
Hamster Sperm Protein, P26h: A Member of the Short-Chain Dehydrogenase/Reductase Superfamily
Biol Reprod, July 1, 1999; 61(1): 264 - 273.
[Abstract] [Full Text]

Home page
 Biol. Reprod.Home page
D. A. Ellerman, V. S. Brantúa, S. P. Martínez, D. J. Cohen, D. Conesa, and P. S. Cuasnicú
Potential Contraceptive Use of Epididymal Proteins: Immunization of Male Rats with Epididymal Protein DE Inhibits Sperm Fusion Ability
Biol Reprod, November 1, 1998; 59(5): 1029 - 1036.
[Abstract] [Full Text]


HOME HELP FEEDBACK SUBSCRIPTIONS ARCHIVE SEARCH TABLE OF CONTENTS
Copyright © 1982 by The American Society of Andrology.