The role of carbohydrate residues in mammalian fertilization.
Year: 1997
Type: article
Abstract: The fertilization process in mammals involves binding and fusion of free-swimming sperm and ovulated eggs. This review focuses on the role of carbohydrate residues in the process of sperm-egg interaction in mammals. The zona pellucida (ZP), the acellular glycoprotein coat surrounding the egg is highly glycosylated and possess both Asn- (N-) linked and Ser/Thr- (O-)linked oligosaccharides, with an extreme structural heterogeneity between the different species. Different carbohydrates on ZP3, such as Galactose in alpha-linkage, N-acetylglucosamine in beta-linkage, were suggested as the complementary sperm receptors, mediating the primary binding between the spermatozoon and the ZP. Several suggested complementary ZP3 binding proteins on the sperm are sp56, beta-1,4-galactosyltransferase and p95. Some carbohydrate residues of the ZP undergo post-fertilization modifications that might alter the sperm receptor, thus assisting in the establishment of the block to polyspermy. The studies summarized in this review imply a main role for the carbohydrate residues in the process of sperm egg interaction.
Source: PubMed
Authors: R Shalgi, T Raz
Institution: Tel Aviv University
Language: English
Subfield: Reproductive Medicine
Field: Medicine
Domain: Health Sciences
Open Access status: green
OpenAlex ID: W2466111579