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DISSOLUTION OF THE RAT ZONA PELLUCIDA BY ACIDIFIED MEDIA AND BLASTOCYST VIABILITY

Exposure of mouse blastocysts in vitro to acidified media effective in dissolving the zona pellucida (Gwatkin, 1964), was reported to be incompatible with the survival of the blastocyst (Bowman & McLaren, 1969). It has been concluded that decreased pH is unlikely to be responsible for the lysis of the zona pellucida in utero (Bowman & McLaren, 1970). This conclusion was drawn from data concerning the effect of a prolonged exposure (up to several hours) of eggs to acidity in vitro. Evidence is reported here to show that the dissolution of the zona pellucida by a brief exposure of the blastocyst to acidity is compatible with its viability and subsequent development.