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  • Title: The role of carbohydrate residues in mammalian fertilization.
    Author: Shalgi R, Raz T.
    Journal: Histol Histopathol; 1997 Jul; 12(3):813-22. PubMed ID: 9225165.
    Abstract:
    The fertilization process in mammals involves binding and fusion of free-swimming sperm and ovulated eggs. This review focuses on the role of carbohydrate residues in the process of sperm-egg interaction in mammals. The zona pellucida (ZP), the acellular glycoprotein coat surrounding the egg is highly glycosylated and possess both Asn- (N-) linked and Ser/Thr- (O-)linked oligosaccharides, with an extreme structural heterogeneity between the different species. Different carbohydrates on ZP3, such as Galactose in alpha-linkage, N-acetylglucosamine in beta-linkage, were suggested as the complementary sperm receptors, mediating the primary binding between the spermatozoon and the ZP. Several suggested complementary ZP3 binding proteins on the sperm are sp56, beta-1,4-galactosyltransferase and p95. Some carbohydrate residues of the ZP undergo post-fertilization modifications that might alter the sperm receptor, thus assisting in the establishment of the block to polyspermy. The studies summarized in this review imply a main role for the carbohydrate residues in the process of sperm egg interaction.
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