The Molecular and Cellular Biology of Fertilization

Prologue.- 1 Fertilization and Immunity-Revisited.- Summary.- Univalent Antibodies.- Paramecium: A Model System.- References.- 2 Sperm-Egg Interactions Preparatory to Fertilization.- Summary.- The Activation of the Spermatozoon.- The Activation of the Egg.- Concluding Remarks.- References.- 3 Effects of Anti-Zona Pellucida Monoclonal Antibodies on Fertilization and Early Development.- Summary.- Monoclonal Antibodies.- Passive Immunization of Mice.- In Vitro Fertilization and Development.- Production of Monoclonal Antibodies.- Distribution of Zona Proteins.- Passive Immunization of Mice.- In Vitro Fertilization.- Reversibility of Contraception.- Effect on Development.- Discussion.- References.- 4 Nature of the Mouse Egg's Receptor for Sperm.- Summary.- Composition of the Mouse Zona Pellucida.- Identification of the Mouse Egg's Sperm Receptor: Experimental Approach.- Identification of the Mouse Egg's Sperm Receptor: Observations.- Identification of the Mouse Egg's Inducer of the Acrosome Reaction: Experimental Approach.- Identification of the Mouse Egg's Inducer of the Acrosome Reaction: Observations.- Structure of ZP3: The Mouse Egg's Receptor for Sperm.- Identification of the Molecular Nature of the Sperm Receptor Activity of ZP3.- Identification of the Molecular Nature of the Acrosome Reaction-Inducing Activity of ZP3.- Discussion.- References.- 5 The Receptor Function of Galactosyltransferase During Mammalian Fertilization.- Summary.- Cell Surface GalTase.- The T/t-Complex of the Mouse.- Surface GalTase on Mutant t-Sperm.- The Effects of In Vitro Capacitation on Surface GalTase Activity.- Perturbing Sperm GalTase Inhibits Sperm/Egg Binding.- Inhibition of Sperm/Zona Binding by Purified GalTase.- Inhibition of Sperm/Zona Binding by Monospecific Anti-GalTAseIgG.- Sperm GalTase Substrates in the Zona Pellucida.- Conclusions.- References.- 6 Immunological Identification of Sperm Antigens that Participate in Fertilization.- Summary.- Acrosomal Crescent Localization: M42 and M41.- Equatorial Segment Localization: M2 and M29.- References.- 7 The Action Of Acrosin on the Zona Pellucida.- Summary.- Materials and Methods.- Results and Discussion.- Conclusions.- References.- 8 Biochemical Studies of the Envelope Transformations in XenopusLaevis Eggs.- Summary.- Biological Features.- Morphological Approach.- Molecular Approach.- CE to VE Conversion.- VE to FE Conversion.- Concluding Comments.- References.- 9 The Role of Oviducal Secretions in Mediating Gamete Fusion in the Toad, BufoBufoJaponicus.- Summary.- Materials and Methods.- Results and Discussion.- Concluding Remarks.- References.- 10 Oviducal Pars Recta as Factor in Fertilization Properties and Hormonal Regulation in the Toad BufoArenarum.- Summary.- Involvement of Pars Recta in Fertilization.- Structural Change of the Coelomic Oocytes Vitelline Envelope by Oviducal Secretion.- Ultrastructural Study.- Participation of Pars Recta in Inducing Acrosome Reaction.- Metabolic Switch in Coelomic Oocytes of PR Effect.- Comparative Biological and Biochemical Properties of Pars Recta Secretion Fluid and Protein(s) Purified from Pars Recta Extract.- Hormonal Regulation of Biological Activity.- Conclusions.- References.- 11 The Cortical Endoplasmic Reticulum and its Possible Role in Activation of DiscoglossusPictis (Anura) Eggs.- Summary.- Materials and Methods.- Results.- Discussion.- References.- 12 Urodele Egg Jelly and Fertilization.- Summary.- Materials and Methods.- Results and Discussion.- Conclusions.- References.- 13 Induction of the Acrosomal Reaction in Sperm from the WhiteSturgeon, AcipenserTransmontanus.- Summary.- Materials and Methods.- Results and Discussion.- Conclusions.- References.- 14 Sperm Glycosidase as a Plausible Mediator of Sperm Binding to the Vitelline Envelope in Ascidians.- Summary.- Experimental.- Discussion.- References.- 15 Structure, Assembly and Functions of the Surface Envelope (Fertilization Envelope) from Eggs of the Sea Urchin, Stronglyocentrotu