Synthetic organic pH buffers can support fertilization of guinea pig eggs, but not as efficiently as bicarbonate buffer.
Bicarbonate ions (HCO3-) in the medium are not absolutely essential for the fertilization of guinea pig eggs. However, fertilization takes place most efficiently in HCO3- -buffered medium. Capacitation, the acrosome reaction, and zona penetration by spermatozoa can occur in HCO3- -free media with synthetic organic buffers (i.e., MOPS, TES, HEPES, Tris, and TAPSO) but not as efficiently as in the HCO3- -buffered medium. It appears that HCO3- functions as more than just a pH-buffering molecule.
Bhattacharyya
A
A
Department of Anatomy and Reproductive Biology, University of Hawaii School of Medicine, Honolulu 96822.
Yanagimachi
R
R
D000818:Animals; D001639:Bicarbonates / Q000494:pharmacology*; D002021:Buffers; D005260:Female; D005306:Fertilization / Q000187:drug effects*; D006168:Guinea Pigs; D006863:Hydrogen-Ion Concentration; D008297:Male; D010063:Ovum / Q000187:drug effects / Q000502:physiology*; D013075:Sperm Capacitation / Q000187:drug effects; D013094:Spermatozoa / Q000502:physiology
D001639:Bicarbonates; D002021:Buffers