title: Effects of wheat germ agglutinin on fertilization of mouse ova in vivo and in vitro.
abstract: Mouse ova with or without follicular cells (denuded) were treated with wheat germ agglutinin (WGA) in concentrations ranging from 5-500 mug/ml and fertilized in vitro. Ova subjected to concentrations greater than 10 mug/ml WGA were incapable of fertilization in vitro, although sperm were observed adhering to the zona pellucida after treatment in concentrations as high as 500 mug/ml WGA. At concentrations of 50 mug/ml or higher, WGA adversely affected the shape of the vitellus. Of various saccharides employed to block the effects of WGA D-glucose was the most effective. Injections of 0.03 ml of 100 mug/ml WGA into the ovarian bursa two to three hours before the expected time of ovulation had little or no effect on fertilization in vivo.
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D005260:Female; D005306:Fertilization / Q000187:drug effects*; D005947:Glucose / Q000494:pharmacology; D066298:In Vitro Techniques; D037102:Lectins / Q000494:pharmacology*; D008297:Male; D051379:Mice; D006080:Ovarian Follicle / Q000187:drug effects; D010063:Ovum / Q000187:drug effects*; D037121:Plant Lectins; D013395:Sucrose / Q000494:pharmacology; D014908:Triticum; D014817:Vitelline Membrane / Q000187:drug effects; D015044:Zona Pellucida / Q000187:drug effects
chemical_list: D037102:Lectins; D037121:Plant Lectins; D013395:Sucrose; D005947:Glucose