Sperm Binding and Penetration during Ascidian Fertilization

• Published in: Development, growth & differentiation Vol. 30; no. 4; pp. 325 - 336
• Main Authors: LAMBERT, CHARLES C., KOCH, ROBERT A.
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• 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

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...