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 Alert me to new issues of the journal Download to citation manager Citing Articles Citing Articles via HighWire Citing Articles via Google Scholar Google Scholar Articles by AUSTIN, C. R. Search for Related Content PubMed Articles by AUSTIN, C. R.

MEMBRANE FUSION EVENTS IN FERTILIZATION

Physiological Laboratory, University of Cambridge

INTRODUCTION: Fertilization entails the union of egg and spermatozoon, which, as first clearly shown by Szollosi & Ris (1961) in a mammal and Colwin & Colwin (1961) in an invertebrate organism, requires the fusion of the limiting membranes of the two cells so that they come to form a single cell. The new entity is bounded by a membrane which at least initially is a composite or mosaic of the two gamete membranes. Before gamete union can occur the spermatozoon must penetrate the investments enclosing the egg, and this requires the release of lytic enzymes carried in the acrosome. Release is effected by the acrosome reaction, which takes place by fusion between acrosomal and plasma membranes. The acrosome reaction must itself be preceded by changes in the surface properties of the spermatozoon, known collectively as capacitation, and this is likely to involve also changes

This article has been cited by other articles:

				B. Baibakov, L. Gauthier, P. Talbot, T. L. Rankin, and J. Dean Sperm binding to the zona pellucida is not sufficient to induce acrosome exocytosis Development, March 1, 2007; 134(5): 933 - 943. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]

				T.J. Davies and R.L. Gardner The plane of first cleavage is not related to the distribution of sperm components in the mouse Hum. Reprod., September 1, 2002; 17(9): 2368 - 2379. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]

				B. S. Dunbar, T. M. Timmons, S. M. Skinner, and S. V. Prasad Molecular Analysis of a Carbohydrate Antigen Involved in the Structure and Function of Zona Pellucida Glycoproteins Biol Reprod, September 1, 2001; 65(3): 951 - 960. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]