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Sperm: Egg ratios and putative molecular signals to modulate gamete interactions in polytocous mammals
Author(s) -
Hunter R. H. F.
Publication year - 1993
Publication title -
molecular reproduction and development
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.745
H-Index - 105
eISSN - 1098-2795
pISSN - 1040-452X
DOI - 10.1002/mrd.1080350315
Subject(s) - biology , gamete , cumulus oophorus , zona pellucida , oocyte , sperm , oocyte activation , mating , human fertilization , microbiology and biotechnology , andrology , evolutionary biology , zoology , genetics , embryo , medicine
Reasoning from the premises that 1) the sperm:egg ratio at the time of activation of the secondary oocyte in mammals is close to unity under conditions of spontaneous mating, 2) a majority of eggs within the cumulus oophorus of a polytocous species is fertilized in a reasonably short interval of time, and 3) spermatozoa would find it difficult to reverse their approach to the zona pellucida, it is proposed that molecular gradients exist to divert spermatozoa penetrating the cumulus mass away from eggs already activated and towards eggs as yet unfertilised. Possible sources of such molecular cues are considered, as is the event that triggers their release. © 1993 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.