Involvement of sialic acid in bovine sperm-zona pellucida interaction

Resumo

ABSTRAC: perm-egg interaction is a complex process mediated by receptors and ligands present  in both gametes, spermatozoon and  oocyte. The important role played by the carbohydrates in the gamete interaction  is well documented. However, the identification of the molecules involved in this process remains unsolved. A carbohydrate modification in the sialic acid contents of the bovine zona pellucida (ZP) post fertilization has been previously reported. However, no evidence exists on the implication of this carbohydrate in the sperm-ZP  interaction.  In this study, we investigate the role played by the sialic acid residues in the sperm-ZP  binding by means of different sperm binding competition and IVF assays with different sialic acid specific lectins, neuraminidase enzyme and antibodies.