INVESTIGADORES
VAZQUEZ Monica Hebe
capítulos de libros
Título:
An overview on the molecular mechanisms involved in human fertilization
Autor/es:
VAZQUEZ LEVIN MH; MARIN-BRIGGILER CI
Libro:
Infertility in the Male (Fourth Edition).
Editorial:
Cambridge University Press
Referencias:
Lugar: Cambridge, Gran Bretaña; Año: 2009; p. 104 - 121
Resumen:
Online ISBN: 9780511635656 Hardback ISBN: 9780521872898
El capítulo citado no tiene abstract o resumen oficial.
Fragmento del capítulo:
Fertilization is a fundamental process that involves a
highly coordinated sequence of interactions between
the female and male gametes, giving rise to a diploid
zygote. During this process, spermatozoa that have
successfully completed spermatogenesis, epididymal
maturation, and transport through the female reproductive
tract fi rst bind to the extracellular matrix that
surrounds the egg, called the zona pellucida (ZP). Sperm
binding to ZP glycoproteins triggers sperm acrosomal
exocytosis (AE), involving fusion of the sperm plasma
and outer acrosomal membranes and the release of the
content from the acrosomal granule; these components,
in conjunction with the hyperactivated vigorous
motility, help sperm penetration through the ZP. Th e
spermatozoon reaches the perivitelline space, binds
and fuses to the egg plasma membrane (oolemma);
the sperm head enters the egg cytoplasm (ooplasm),
and the sperm nucleus undergoes decondensation.
Ultimately, sperm entrance triggers mechanisms to
block polyspermia. Each of these steps is schematically
represented in Figure 7.1 .
Although in the last 30 years some of the mechanisms
involved in mammalian fertilization have been
elucidated, the molecular basis of human spermegg
interaction is still not completely known. Defective
spermZP interaction and disordered ZP-induced AE
have been identifi ed as major causes of fertilization failure
in standard in-vitro fertilization (IVF) procedures
performed in couples under infertility treatment, and a
major contribution to this outcome has been attributed
to abnormalities in the male gamete [ 1 , 2 ]. An understanding
of the molecular mechanisms underlying
the processes by which spermatozoa reach, recognize,
bind to, and fuse with the egg will provide new
tools for the improvement of current methods of
treatment and diagnosis of male infertility, as well as
methods for regulation of male fertility .
This chapter aims to present an overview of the current
knowledge regarding the molecular mechanisms
involved in human fertilization and the components
participating in this process. Due to space limitations,
most of the original publications on each topic could
not be listed. Cited literature is mainly a selection of
review and individual articles on recent advances in
human reproduction. Reports from studies in animal
models are mentioned when strictly needed. For
supplementary information, readers should refer to
a number of review articles from highly recognized
professionals in the field [310] .