Influence of elevated pH levels on structural and functional characteristics of the human zona pellucida: Functional morphological aspects

Henkel, Ralf; Cooper, Susan M.; Kaskar, K.; Schill, Wolf‐Bernhard; Habenicht, U.‐F.; Franken, D. R.

doi:10.1007/bf02212590

Cited by 10 publications

(12 citation statements)

References 18 publications

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“…ZP of oocytes incubated in standard medium showed a compact, granular, and medium electron dense shape with smooth and homogeneous surfaces, whereas treated ZP, on the contrary, showed numerous openings on their surfaces and a marked spongy appearance. In addition, acidic ZP solvents may significantly have improved sperm binding to immature ZP in sperm-oocyte coincubation if compared with control samples supplemented with basic ZP solvents, which have exhibited sperm-binding ranges corresponding with those reported for prophase and metaphase I oocyte (Henkel et al, 1995). The marked spongy appearance of the surface belonging to treated ZP was likely to be the effect of the particular culture medium on the fine structure of ZP matrix, thus causing a manifold increased surface.…”

Section: Appearance Of Zp External Surface Andmentioning

confidence: 79%

“…Therefore, ZP binding properties and morphology are regulated by changes in the pH. On the other hand, disappearance of cortical granules and consequent zona hardening are observed not only in fertilized oocytes but also in unfertilized aged oocytes as a physiological aging process (Henkel et al, 1995).…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…Medium Culture pH and Changes in ZP Structure The influence of elevated pH levels on the structural and functional characteristics of human ZP has been investigated by Henkel et al (1995). Fresh and saltstored immature oocytes were randomly incubated in either synthetic human tubal fluid medium (untreated zonae) or in a chemically defined medium (treated zonae).…”

Section: Appearance Of Zp External Surface Andmentioning

confidence: 99%

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Three‐dimensional structure of the zona pellucida at ovulation

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Heyn

et al. 2006

Microscopy Res & Technique

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The mammalian zona pellucida (ZP) is an extracellular matrix surrounding oocytes and early embryos, which is critical for normal fertilization and preimplantation development. It is made up of three/four glycoproteins arranged in a delicate filamentous matrix. Scanning electron microscopy (SEM) studies have shown that ZP has a porous, net-like structure and/or nearly smooth and compact aspect. In this study, the fine 3-D structure of the human and mouse ZP is reviewed with the aim to integrate ultrastructural and molecular data, considering that the mouse is still used as a good model for human fertilization. By conventional SEM observations, numerous evidences support that the spongy ZP appearance well correlates with mature oocytes. When observed through more sophisticated techniques at high resolution SEM, ZP showed a delicate meshwork of thin interconnected filaments, in a regular alternating pattern of wide and tight meshes. In mature oocytes, the wide meshes correspond to "pores" of the "spongy" ZP, whereas the tight meshes correspond to the compact parts of the ZP surrounding the pores. In conclusion, the traditional "spongy" or "compact" appearance of the ZP at conventional SEM appears to be only the consequence of a prevalence of different arrangements of microfilament networks, according to the maturation stage of the oocyte, and in agreement with the modern supramolecular model of the ZP at the basis of egg-sperm recognition. Despite great differences in molecular characterization of ZP glycoproteins between human and mouse ZP, there are no differences in the 3-D organization of glycoproteic microfilaments in these species.

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Section: Appearance Of Zp External Surface Andmentioning

confidence: 79%

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Section: Appearance Of Zp External Surface Andmentioning

confidence: 99%

See 1 more Smart Citation

Three‐dimensional structure of the zona pellucida at ovulation

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Heyn

et al. 2006

Microscopy Res & Technique

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“…Although successful fertilisation and embryo development can occur with immotile ejaculated spermatozoa, the implantation rate is very low (Henkel et al ., ). The authors investigated molecular aspects of declining sperm motility in older men and found that patient's ages correlated negatively with testosterone concentration and motility, including velocity, but correlated positively with the percentage of abnormally stained flagella and flagellar zinc.…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 97%

Sperm selection based on motility in polyvinylpyrrolidone is associated with successful pregnancy and embryo development

et al. 2012

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The aim of this study was to investigate whether spermatozoon motility in polyvinylpyrrolidone (PVP) is associated with better embryo development and pregnancy rates in ICSI cycles. A total of 123 primary ICSI treatment cycles were included in this study. Semen samples were tested for motility before ICSI procedure in PVP. Within 3 min, the presence or absence of motility was recorded. Sperm functions were examined by the aniline blue (AB) chromatin condensation test and the hypoosmotic swelling test, and the chromatin stability was evaluated by inducing its decondensation with sodium dodecyl sulphate and ethylenediaminetetraacetic acid (EDTA). Fertilisation and embryo scoring were evaluated. Fifty (64%) of 78 women conceived in the PVP (+) group; and 12 (26%) of 45 women conceived in the PVP (-) group; the pregnancy rate was significantly higher in the PVP (+) group (P = 0.003). Semen parameters were observed to be similar in both groups. The mean number of total embryos obtained in ICSI procedure and transferred grade 1 embryos were significantly higher in PVP (+) group (P = 0.01 and P = 0.003 respectively). The presence of sperm motility in PVP is associated with increased pregnancy rate, higher percentage of good quality embryos, sperm chromatin condensation and decondensation.

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“…To compare acrosome reactions induced by solubilized zona with those induced by untreated zona, experiments with solid human zonae were performed. Zonae were incubated in the medium according to Henkel et al (1995) with motile spermatozoa at a final concentration of 10 x 106 ml-' in 5% COP at 37°C for 4 h under mineral oil (Sigma, St. Louis, USA) and evaluated for acrosomal status of zona-bound spermatozoa. Statistical evaluations were done with the nonparametric Mann-Whitney two sample test.…”

Section: Methodsmentioning

confidence: 99%

Zona pellucida as physiological trigger for the induction of acrosome reaction

2009

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To evaluate the kinetics of acrosome reaction, sperm samples from four fertile donors were prepared by swim-up and incubated with solutions of human zonae containing 0.1, 0.15, 0.3, 0.5 and 1.0 zonae pl-'. After 20, 40 and 60 min of incubation at 37 OC, aliquots were taken for evaluation of the acrosomal status. The results showed a distinct time-and dose dependence of the acrosome reaction induced by solubilized zona proteins. After 60 min of incubation in 1.0 zonae pl-', about 80% of the spermatozoa showed signs of acrosomal loss; about 40% were completely acrosome-reacted. In addition, zona-bound sperm showed the same ratios of acrosome-reacted spermatozoa in control experiments. The velocity of acrosome reaction was calculated by means of a double-reciprocal plot being 2.0-2.5% min-for completely reacted spermatozoa and those showing signs of acrosome reaction. However, both subgroups differed considerably in their constants of equilibrium (K=2.0 ZP pl-' and K=0.2 ZP pl-', respectively). In nonreacted and partly reacted spermatozoa results might indicate a disturbed course of acrosome reaction or possibly the existence of different subpopulations in respect of sperm competition.

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Influence of elevated pH levels on structural and functional characteristics of the human zona pellucida: Functional morphological aspects

Cited by 10 publications

References 18 publications

Three‐dimensional structure of the zona pellucida at ovulation

Three‐dimensional structure of the zona pellucida at ovulation

Sperm selection based on motility in polyvinylpyrrolidone is associated with successful pregnancy and embryo development

Zona pellucida as physiological trigger for the induction of acrosome reaction

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