Disruption of gamete fusion alters the sperm-egg ratio at gamete interaction.

ABSTRACT:

Background

The mechanisms enabling sperm to locate unfertilized eggs within the fallopian tubes remain a subject of debate in reproductive biology. Previous studies using polytocous mammals observed a 1:1 sperm-egg ratio within the ampulla at the time of fertilization. From these observations, it is hypothesized that this mechanism could be linked to sperm-egg fusion, such that unfertilized eggs may attract sperm until fusion occurs, whereupon the attraction ceases.

Methods

To test this, fertile male mice were mated with infertile homozygous Cd9^Null females, whose eggs cannot fuse with sperm, leading to the accumulation of supernumerary sperm in the perivitelline space. Fertile heterozygous Cd9^Het females, were used as controls.

Results

The resul

SUBMITTER: Stickler E 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC11662466 | biostudies-literature | 2024 Dec

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature