title: Mechanism of fertilization: a modern view.
abstract: Despite numerous studies on mammalian fertilization, the mechanisms of fertilization-including the timing of acrosome reaction-remain largely unknown; more accurately described, the classical theory built upon years of layered experimental data is being challenged by recent conflicting evidence provided by gene-manipulated animals. Although in vitro fertilization remains our central research tool, the classical theory's decline reminds us of the importance of in vivo observations. Here, I describe the essential roles of gene-manipulated animals in elucidating the mechanism of fertilization and the pitfalls of in vitro fertilization studies trapping many researchers.
authors: Center for Genetic Analysis for Biological Responses, Research Institute for Microbial Diseases, Osaka University, Yamadaoka 3-1, Suita, Osaka 565-0871, Japan.
authors: Masaru
authors: M
authors: Okabe
mesh_terms: D020101:Acrosome Reaction / Q000502:physiology; D000818:Animals; D030801:Animals, Genetically Modified; D005260:Female; D005306:Fertilization / Q000502:physiology*; D005307:Fertilization in Vitro; D008297:Male; D013084:Sperm-Ovum Interactions / Q000502:physiology