Calcium Requirement for Sperm-Egg Fusion in Mammals

  1. R. YANAGIMACHI
  1. Department of Anatomy and Reproductive Biology, University of Hawaii School of Medicine, Honolulu, Hawaii 96822

    Abstract

    Ca2+ is essential for fusion of hamster, guinea pig and human spermatozoa with eggs. In Ca2+ free media, acrosome-reacted spermatozoa attach to the egg plasma membranes, but are unable to fuse with them. Mg2+ can replace Ca2+, although it is less effective. The relative effectiveness of various divalent cations in triggering sperm-egg fusion and some other types of membrane fusions was compared.

    Footnotes

      • Accepted July 6, 1978.
      • Received May 12, 1978.
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    1. doi: 10.1095/​biolreprod19.5.949 Biology of Reproduction December 1, 1978 vol. 19 no. 5 949-958
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