title: Immunocytochemical studies of hamster oocyte activation.
abstract: By indirect immunofluorescence, using rabbit anti-heparin-binding placental protein (HBPP) antiserum, we studied HBPP expression by physiologically and non-physiologically (microsurgically) activated hamster gametes. Whereas mature gametes (sperm, metaphase II oocytes) were negative, in vivo conceived preimplantation embryos, from pronuclear to two- and four-cell stages, were HBPP positive. No HBPP was demonstrated in the zona pellucida, but HBPP-dependent immunofluorescence was localized in the perivitelline space. Oocytes incubated with hyaluronidase demonstrated variable responses from negative to positive. (Diluent or sperm) microinjected oocytes were all activated and HBPP positive within 4 h after stimulation. Thus neither activation by microinjection nor HBPP expression required paternal gametes. These kinetics suggest that HBPP may be a cortical granule secretogogue which can be applied to monitor oocyte responses during in vitro manipulations.
authors.affiliation: Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Royal North Shore Hospital, St. Leonards, New South Wales, Australia.
authors.forename: M J
authors.initials: MJ
authors.lastname: Sinosich
authors.forename: S E
authors.initials: SE
authors.lastname: Lanzendorf
authors.forename: G D
authors.initials: GD
authors.lastname: Hodgen
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D006224:Cricetinae; D005260:Female; D005307:Fertilization in Vitro; D005455:Fluorescent Antibody Technique; D006493:Heparin / Q000378:metabolism*; D008297:Male; D008647:Mesocricetus; D008845:Microinjections; D009865:Oocytes / Q000502:physiology* / Q000648:ultrastructure; D011257:Pregnancy Proteins / Q000378:metabolism*; D013084:Sperm-Ovum Interactions
chemical_list: D011257:Pregnancy Proteins; D006493:Heparin