Fertilin beta peptides inhibit sperm binding to zona-free eggs in a homologous baboon in vitro fertilization system.
This study developed a baboon in vitro fertilization system that can be used in testing defined gamete antigens for fertility effects. A laparoscopic procedure that proved very valuable in retrieving eggs from female baboons for in vitro studies was developed. On average, 30 +/- 5 (SD) eggs were harvested per female baboon per cycle. Micromolar quantities of hexapeptides or a 28 aa residue peptide, all corresponding to fertilin beta disintegrin domain, competitively inhibited the binding of zona-free baboon eggs by baboon sperm in vitro. This study demonstrated that fertilin beta has a required role in baboon fertilization.
Mwethera
P G
PG
Department of Reproduction, Institute of Primate Research, Nairobi, Kenya. mwethera@arcc.or.ke
Makokha
A
A
Chai
D
D
D051722:ADAM Proteins; D000595:Amino Acid Sequence; D000818:Animals; D005260:Female; D000072196:Fertilins; D005307:Fertilization in Vitro / Q000379:methods / Q000662:veterinary; D008297:Male; D008562:Membrane Glycoproteins / Q000737:chemistry / Q000494:pharmacology* / Q000502:physiology; D008666:Metalloendopeptidases / Q000737:chemistry / Q000494:pharmacology* / Q000502:physiology; D008969:Molecular Sequence Data; D010063:Ovum / Q000187:drug effects / Q000502:physiology*; D010215:Papio; D010446:Peptide Fragments / Q000737:chemistry / Q000494:pharmacology*; D013081:Sperm Motility; D013084:Sperm-Ovum Interactions / Q000187:drug effects / Q000502:physiology*; D013094:Spermatozoa / Q000187:drug effects / Q000502:physiology*; D015044:Zona Pellucida / Q000502:physiology
D008562:Membrane Glycoproteins; D010446:Peptide Fragments; D051722:ADAM Proteins; D000072196:Fertilins; D008666:Metalloendopeptidases