This Article Full Text (PDF) Alert me when this article is cited Alert me if a correction is posted Services Similar articles in this journal Similar articles in PubMed Alert me to new issues of the journal Download to citation manager Citing Articles Citing Articles via Google Scholar Google Scholar Articles by STAMBAUGH, R. Articles by MASTROIANNI, L. Search for Related Content PubMed PubMed Citation Articles by STAMBAUGH, R. Articles by MASTROIANNI, L., Jr

BICARBONATE ION; THE CORONA CELL DISPERSING FACTOR OF RABBIT TUBAL FLUID

Summary.: Experiments are described which identify the dialysable corona cell dispersing factor of rabbit oviduct fluid as the bicarbonate ion. In vitro dispersion of the corona cells with bicarbonate ion in media devoid of oviduct fluid or oviduct fluid extracts was also demonstrated. The dispersion process is initiated at bicarbonate ion concentrations of approximately 46 m-equiv/1, while concentrations of 66 m-equiv/1 effect complete corona cell dispersion within a 2-hr incubation period at 37·5° C with no mechanical agitation. Additional evidence that bicarbonate ion is indeed the in vivo corona cell dispersing factor of oviduct fluid was provided by in vivo inhibition of corona cell dispersion by acetazolamide, a carbonic anhydrase inhibitor. It was also observed that follicular ova, in contrast to mature tubal ova, are not invariably denuded with this sequential hyaluronidase and bicarbonate ion treatment.