Sperm proteinase release during fertilization of rabbit ova.
Proteinase activity was found to be present along the sides of sperm penetration tunnels through the zonae pellucidae of rabbit ova using silver-proteinate staining techniques. This is the first direct confirmation of the generally accepted concept of sperm penetration by proteinase release and digestion of the zona pellucida.
D000176:Acrosin / Q000378:metabolism*; D000818:Animals; D010450:Endopeptidases / Q000378:metabolism*; D005260:Female; D005306:Fertilization; D006651:Histocytochemistry; D008297:Male; D010063:Ovum / Q000201:enzymology; D011817:Rabbits; D013094:Spermatozoa / Q000201:enzymology*
D010450:Endopeptidases; D000176:Acrosin