Repetitive calcium transients in hamster oocytes

Golden hamster oocytes show repetitive Ca2+ transients at fertilization: a propagating Ca2+ rise from the sperm attachment site in the first 2-3 responses and synchronous Ca2+ rise in the entire egg in the succeeding responses. Cyclic Ca2+ rises are produced in unfertilized eggs by an injection of GTP gamma S or continuous injection of inositol 1,4,5-trisphosphate (InsP3). Both InsP3-induced Ca2+ release (IICR) and Ca(2+)-induced Ca2+ release (CICR) are observed in hamster eggs, associated with a refractory period of 1-2 min after a Ca2+ release. In addition, external Ca2+ is a prerequisite for maintaining the repeated Ca2+ transients. The conditions that are expected to alter Ca2+ influx affect the frequency of Ca2+ transients with little effect on each response. The fertilizing sperm causes an increase in Ca2+ permeability of the egg plasma membrane and an increase in Ca2+ sensitivity of CICR. Feedback inhibition through protein kinase C is observed in G-protein-mediated Ca2+ transients but this inhibition seems to operate rather tonically. A model of Ca2+ oscillation is proposed: basically a second messenger-controlled oscillator model. InsP3 as the rigger of Ca2+ release is continuously supplied while an elevated basal [Ca2+]i level due to Ca2+ influx provides a favourable condition for IICR and CICR as well as for recharging the Ca2+ pools ready to release Ca2+ again.