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Germ Cell Protocols pp 13–25Cite as

Fertilization and Sperm Chemotaxis in Ascidians

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Part of the book series: Methods in Molecular Biology™ ((MIMB,volume 253))

Abstract

Prior to fertilization, spermatozoa of many animals and plants show chemotactic behavior toward eggs. Chemotactic behavior was first described in ferns (1), and their attractant was identified as the bimalate ion (2). In animals, sperm chemotaxis to the egg was first observed in the hydrozoan Spirocodon saltatrix (3) and is now widely recognized in all species from cnidarians to human (for reviews, see refs. 4–6).

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Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. ICORP, Japan Science and Technology Agency and Misaki Marine Biological Station, Graduate School of Science, University of Tokyo, Miura, Kanagawa, Japan

    Manabu Yoshida

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  1. Manabu Yoshida
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Editor information

Editors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Veterinary Pathobiology, University of Missouri—Columbia, Columbia, MO

    Heide Schatten

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© 2004 Humana Press Inc., Totowa, NJ

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Yoshida, M. (2004). Fertilization and Sperm Chemotaxis in Ascidians. In: Schatten, H. (eds) Germ Cell Protocols. Methods in Molecular Biology™, vol 253. Humana Press. https://doi.org/10.1385/1-59259-744-0:013

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1385/1-59259-744-0:013

  • Publisher Name: Humana Press

  • Print ISBN: 978-1-58829-121-9

  • Online ISBN: 978-1-59259-744-4

  • eBook Packages: Springer Protocols

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