Mammalian Fertilization & General Embryology

Conception

Another term for fertilization

Corona radiata

Innermost layer of cumulus cells

Hyaluronidase

Enzyme on the sperm head that dissolves hyaluronic acid in the cumulus oophorus

ZP1, ZP2, and ZP3

Glycoprotein complex forming the mammalian zona pellucida

ZP3

Zona pellucida glycoprotein that sperm plasma membrane receptors attach to

Influx of calcium and rise in cAMP

Causes exocytosis of the acrosomal vesicle in mammalian sperm

Sperm capacitation

Process where sperm gain the ability to fertilize an oocyte in the female tract

Calmodulin

Protein playing a role in sperm capacitation

Syngamy

Fusion of sperm and egg genetic material

Diploid (2n)

Ploidy of the zygote formed after syngamy

Blastomeres

Two identical daughter cells formed after the zygote divides mitotically

Haploid (n)

Ploidy of gametes that fuse during fertilization

Midpiece

Part of the sperm containing mitochondria

9+2

Arrangement of microtubules characteristic of the sperm tail

Nutritive proteins

Main component stored in the egg for early energy and amino acids

Cumulus

Layer surrounding the zona pellucida in mammalian eggs