Changes of glycoconjugate contents of the zona pellucida during oocyte growth and development in the golden hamster: A quantitative cytochemical study

1991 ◽  
Vol 230 (3) ◽  
pp. 347-360 ◽  
Author(s):  
Emmanuelle Roux ◽  
W. K. Kan Frederick
Keyword(s):  
Zona Pellucida ◽  
Golden Hamster ◽  
Growth And Development ◽  
Oocyte Growth ◽  
Cytochemical Study

Oocyte-specific expression of mouse Zp-2: developmental regulation of the zona pellucida genes

1990 ◽  
Vol 10 (4) ◽  
pp. 1507-1515
Author(s):  
L F Liang ◽  
S M Chamow ◽  
J Dean
Keyword(s):  
Dna Sequences ◽  
Zona Pellucida ◽  
Developmental Regulation ◽  
Genetic Locus ◽  
Single Copy ◽  
Specific Gene ◽  
Gene Transcript ◽  
Developmentally Regulated ◽  
Specific Expression ◽  
Oocyte Growth

The zona pellucida surrounds all mammalian oocytes and plays a vital role at fertilization and in early development. The genes that code for two of the mouse zona proteins (ZP2 and ZP3) represent a developmentally regulated set of genes whose expression serves as markers of mouse oocyte growth and differentiation. We previously characterized the single-copy Zp-3 gene and showed that its expression is oocyte specific and restricted to a narrow window of oocyte development. We now define the Zp-2 gene transcript and show that it is coordinately expressed with Zp-3 only during the 2-week growth phase of oogenesis that occurs prior to ovulation. Like Zp-3, the expression of Zp-2 is restricted to oocytes, and, although not detectable in resting oocytes, both ZP2 and ZP3 transcripts accumulate to become very abundant messengers in 50-microns-diameter oocytes. Ovulated eggs contain ZP2 and ZP3 transcripts which are 200 nucleotides shorter than those found in growing oocytes and have an abundance of less than 5% of the peak levels. In an attempt to understand the molecular details associated with the developmentally regulated, tissue-specific gene expression of the zona genes, the Zp-2 genetic locus has been characterized and its 5' flanking sequences have been compared with those of Zp-3. Both genes contain three short (8- to 12-base-pair) DNA sequences of 80 to 88% identity located within 250 base pairs of their transcription start sites.

scholarly journals Formation of the zona pellucida in relation to the oocyte growth in the mouse ovary.

1988 ◽  
Vol 34 (1) ◽  
pp. 61-66 ◽  
Author(s):  
Takashi MIYANO ◽  
Yuji HIRAO ◽  
Seihiro KATO ◽  
Sunao KANADA
Keyword(s):  
Zona Pellucida ◽  
Mouse Ovary ◽  
Oocyte Growth

scholarly journals Impact of feline zona pellucida glycoprotein B-derived synthetic peptides on in vitro fertilization of cat oocytes

Reproduction ◽  
2004 ◽  
Vol 127 (2) ◽  
pp. 179-186 ◽  
Author(s):  
Jennifer Ringleb ◽  
Marlies Rohleder ◽  
Katarina Jewgenow
Keyword(s):  
Zona Pellucida ◽  
Synthetic Peptides ◽  
Cross Reactivity ◽  
Antigenic Determinants ◽  
Dot Blot ◽  
Oocyte Growth ◽  
Sperm Binding ◽  
Stray Cats

Although immunocontraception based on porcine zona pellucida (ZP) proteins is widely applied in many species, it is not suitable for cat contraception due to the lack of cross-reactivity. Since the first ZP gene expressed during oocyte growth in domestic cats is ZPB, we assumed that immunization with feline ZPB (fZPB)-derived synthetic peptides may cause irreversible infertility, which would be preferable in stray cats. Thus, the present study evaluated the immunogenicity and the contraceptive potential of synthetic fZPB peptides. Antigenic epitope sequences were detected via epitope mapping using specific rabbit anti-fZP antibodies. Six peptides representing the recognized epitopes were synthesized subsequently. Two out of six peptides (ZPB amino acid residue 130–149 = P3 and 175–193 = P6) cross-reacted with anti-fZP antiserum in dot blot analysis and ELISA. Coupled to BSA, both peptides were utilized to produce specific antibodies in rats. Despite several booster injections the antibody titers monitored by ELISA did not exceed 1:5000. Both rat antisera were tested for contraceptive potential in cat in vitro maturation/in vitro fertilization (IVF). Antiserum against peptide P3 significantly inhibited sperm binding and fertilization of cat oocytes in vitro (57.3% of sperm binding; 41.5% of fertilization), whereas the inhibition by anti-P6 was not significant. Pre-incubation of sperm cells with both peptides before IVF failed to affect either sperm binding or fertilization (22.3 ± 3.7 sperm/egg vs 25.5 ± 5.8 for P3 and 20.7 ± 4.0 for P6, respectively). In conclusion, antibodies directed against one of the two identified antigenic determinants of fZPB inhibited sperm binding and IVF and therefore showed promising results as a contraceptive. However, the specific immune response and anti-fertile properties of this synthetic vaccine have to be examined in vivo to verify the suitability of its components.

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