Jove
Visualize
Contact Us

Related Experiment Videos

Could multiple low-affinity bonds mediate primary sperm-zona pellucida binding?

Philip E Castle1

  • 1pc95p@nih.gov

Reproduction (Cambridge, England)
|July 2, 2002
PubMed
Summary
This summary is machine-generated.

Related Concept Videos

You might also read

Related Articles

Articles linked to this work by shared authors, journal, and citation graph.

Sort by
Same author

Benefits and Harms of Immediate Versus Delayed Treatment of Cervical Intraepithelial Neoplasia Grade 2 : A Target Trial Emulation.

Annals of internal medicine·2026
Same author

Performance and reproducibility of Pylori DuoTect® in a high Helicobacter pylori prevalence Latin American population.

Journal of microbiology, immunology, and infection = Wei mian yu gan ran za zhi·2026
Same author

Outcomes of the NCI cancer prevention fellowship program: a focus on mentorship within a multidisciplinary public health field.

BMC medical education·2026
Same author

High-risk human papillomavirus genotypes in cervical squamous cell carcinomas diagnosed in Rwanda.

Infectious agents and cancer·2026
Same author

Outcomes of the NCI cancer prevention fellowship program in training multidisciplinary public health professional leaders.

Scientific reports·2026
Same author

Declining cervical cancer incidence in young women living in the United States: is it time to stop screening them?

Journal of the National Cancer Institute·2026
JoVE
x logofacebook logolinkedin logoyoutube logo
ABOUT JoVE
OverviewLeadershipBlogJoVE Help Center
AUTHORS
Publishing ProcessEditorial BoardScope & PoliciesPeer ReviewFAQSubmit
LIBRARIANS
TestimonialsSubscriptionsAccessResourcesLibrary Advisory BoardFAQ
RESEARCH
JoVE JournalMethods CollectionsJoVE Encyclopedia of ExperimentsArchive
EDUCATION
JoVE CoreJoVE BusinessJoVE Science EducationJoVE Lab ManualFaculty Resource CenterFaculty Site
Terms & Conditions of Use
Privacy Policy
Policies

The current model of sperm binding to the zona pellucida may be incorrect. Research suggests multiple low-affinity bonds, not a single high-affinity bond, may be sufficient for sperm to attach.

Area of Science:

  • Reproductive Biology
  • Cellular Adhesion
  • Biochemistry

Background:

  • The established model posits a single high-affinity interaction between sperm surface proteins and ZP3 on the zona pellucida for initial binding.
  • However, the precise molecular mechanisms governing this crucial step in fertilization remain incompletely understood.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To investigate an alternative model for primary sperm-zona pellucida binding.
  • To explore the potential role of multiple low-affinity interactions in sperm adhesion.

Main Methods:

  • The study proposes a theoretical model based on biophysical principles of molecular interactions.
  • It analyzes the concept of avidity in the context of multivalent binding.

Main Results:

Related Experiment Videos

  • A revised model suggests that the cumulative effect of multiple low-affinity bonds can generate sufficient avidity for sperm tethering.
  • This multivalent binding mechanism offers a plausible explanation for the complexities observed in sperm-zona pellucida interactions.

Conclusions:

  • The current understanding of primary sperm-zona pellucida binding may require revision.
  • A model involving multiple low-affinity interactions provides a potential framework for understanding sperm adhesion and fertilization initiation.