Sperm Binding and Penetration during Ascidian Fertilization

Ascidian sperm bind to VC glycosides and utilize sperm proteases to penetrate the VC. Ultrastructural views of these sperm reveal apical vesicles and a unique apical wedge which is covered by the sperm cap. Shortly after binding occurs by the tip of the head, the sperm mitochondrion becomes attached...

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Published inDevelopment, growth & differentiation Vol. 30; no. 4; pp. 325 - 336
Main Authors LAMBERT, CHARLES C., KOCH, ROBERT A.
Format Journal Article
LanguageEnglish
Published Oxford, UK Blackwell Publishing Ltd 01.08.1988
Japanese Society of Developmental Biologists
Subjects
Ascidiacea
Biological and medical sciences
Early stages. Segmentation. Gastrulation. Neurulation
eggs
Embryology: invertebrates and vertebrates. Teratology
fertilization
Fundamental and applied biological sciences. Psychology
reviews
spermatozoa
Mitochondria
Transmission electron microscopy
Ultrastructure
Ascidae
Cell cell interaction
Acrosome reaction
Prochordata
Invertebrata
Fecundation
Urochordata
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Summary:Ascidian sperm bind to VC glycosides and utilize sperm proteases to penetrate the VC. Ultrastructural views of these sperm reveal apical vesicles and a unique apical wedge which is covered by the sperm cap. Shortly after binding occurs by the tip of the head, the sperm mitochondrion becomes attached to the VC. The sperm then moves past the anchored mitochondrion to penetrate the perivitelline space and reach the surface of the egg. Consequently, mitochondrial translocation is intimately involved in fertilization.
Bibliography:Dedicated to the memory of Alberto Monroy, a great scientist and friend who pioneered this whole line of research.
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ISSN:0012-1592
1440-169X
DOI:10.1111/j.1440-169X.1988.00325.x