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Distribution of α-D-mannose residues on zona pellucida and their role(s) in fertilization in pigs

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Abstract

The present study aims to identify the distribution of α-D-mannose residues on zona pellucida (ZP) and their role(s) in fertilization in pigs. In experiment 1, in vitro matured pig oocytes were freed from cumulus cells and treated with fluorescein isothiocyanate-labelled Lens culinaris (FITC-LCA), a D-mannose specific binding lectin. After 30 min of treatment, LCA bound evenly throughout the ZP with strong fluorescence. In experiment 2, when LCA-treated oocytes were used for in vitro fertilization, the number of sperm bound to ZP was significantly decreased, and sperm penetration was almost completely blocked. In experiment 3, polysaccharide mannan was added to the in vitro fertilization medium as a competitive inhibitor. Both the number of sperm bound to ZP and the rate of fertilized oocytes were significantly reduced in the mannan-treated group compared with the control group. In experiment 4, spermatozoa were incubated with mannan in vitro. The number of acrosome-reacted spermatozoa was evidently increased in a time-dependent manner during the incubation. These results suggest that α-D-mannose residues presenting on pig ZP might be an important component of sperm receptor and might induce sperm acrosome reaction and thus facilitate the sperm penetration into the ZP.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Faculty of Animal Science and Technology, Laiyang Agricultural College, Qingdao, 266109, China

    Song XueXiong, Li FangZheng, Cao GuoQiang & Zhang JinYu

  2. Department of Obstetrics & Gynecology, Chinese University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong, China

    Han YiBing

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  1. Song XueXiong
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  2. Li FangZheng
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  3. Cao GuoQiang
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  4. Zhang JinYu
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  5. Han YiBing
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Correspondence to Song XueXiong.

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Supported by the research foundation from the Ministry of Education of China for returned scholars from abroad

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Song, X., Li, F., Cao, G. et al. Distribution of α-D-mannose residues on zona pellucida and their role(s) in fertilization in pigs. SCI CHINA SER C 50, 170–177 (2007). https://doi.org/10.1007/s11427-007-0029-x

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s11427-007-0029-x

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