002. PIG SPERM EGG INTERACTION AND FORMATION OF A ZONA PELLUCIDA BINDING COMPLEX

Abstract

In order to achieve fertilization sperm cells first need to successfully interact with the zona pellucida. Before reaching the zona pellucida the sperm cell undergoes extensive remodeling both in the male and female genital tract. These changes serve to mediate optimal recognition of the zona pellucida in the oviduct (primary zona pellucida binding). Optimal sperm-zona interactions are crucial for porcine oocyte fertilization: The zona pellucida- attached sperm cell is triggered to undergo the acrosome reaction and will also become hypermotile. Together these two responses allow the sperm cell to drill through the zona pellucida (secondary zona pellucida binding) this coincides with local sperm zona drilling so that a few sperm can reach the perivitellin space. This delaying strategy allows only one sperm cell in a given time-point to bind and fuse with the oocyte (fertilization) and thus minimizes the risk of polyspermy. The polyspermy block is essentially executed by the fertilized oocyte that immediately secretes its cortical granule content into the perivitellin space. This content blocks sperm-oocyte fusion either by sticking to the oolemma or by the induction of a biochemical reaction of the zona pellucida (zona pellucida hardening). The cortical reaction thus blocks sperm-zona pellucida binding and/or sperm-zona pellucida drilling. Note that zona pellcuida interactions under pig IVF conditions relatively frequently result in polyspermy. It is not clear whether this is also the case in vivo after natural mating. More importantly we do not know how other artificial reproductive technologies affect polyspermy rates. This is especially relevant for new sperm treatments and insemination technologies in which sperm are activated by capacitation media essentially mimicking the IVF media. Therefore, better understanding of sperm activation and of the arrangement of proteins involved in zona pellucida interactions are relevant for designing strategies to further improve pig reproduction.