title: Ca2+ oscillations at fertilization in mammals.
abstract: The mouse egg provided the first direct measurement of Ca(2+) oscillations in any cell type. These sperm-induced Ca(2+) oscillations occur at a relatively low frequency, and can be detected up to 18-20 h after sperm-egg fusion. The Ca(2+) oscillations consist of two series of transients; the first lasts about 4 h, from metaphase II until interphase of the first cell cycle, and the second lasts the duration of the first mitotic division. This cell-cycle-regulated aspect to the pattern of Ca(2+) signalling at fertilization is reflected in the role of the Ca(2+) transients in stimulating exit from metaphase arrest. Recent developments have started to shed light on the mechanism initiating Ca(2+) oscillations at fertilization, on how the frequency of the oscillations is set, and on what determines their temporal pattern.
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D002118:Calcium / Q000378:metabolism*; D005306:Fertilization; D006801:Humans; D008322:Mammals; D051379:Mice; D008954:Models, Biological; D009865:Oocytes / Q000378:metabolism; D009991:Oscillometry; D015398:Signal Transduction; D013997:Time Factors; D010738:Type C Phospholipases / Q000737:chemistry
chemical_list: D010738:Type C Phospholipases; D002118:Calcium