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Related Concept Videos

Fertilization01:38

Fertilization

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During fertilization, an egg and sperm cell fuse to create a new diploid structure. In humans, the process occurs once the egg has been released from the ovary, and travels into the fallopian tubes. The process requires several key steps: 1) sperm present in the genital tract must locate the egg; 2) once there, sperm need to release enzymes to help them burrow through the protective zona pellucida of the egg; and 3) the membranes of a single sperm cell and egg must fuse, with the sperm...
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Spermatogenesis01:41

Spermatogenesis

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Spermatogenesis is the process by which haploid sperm cells are produced in the male testes. It starts with stem cells located close to the outer rim of seminiferous tubules. These spermatogonial stem cells divide asymmetrically to give rise to additional stem cells (meaning that these structures “self-renew”), as well as sperm progenitors, called spermatocytes. Importantly, this method of asymmetric mitotic division maintains a population of spermatogonial stem cells in the male...
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Spermatogenesis01:22

Spermatogenesis

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Spermatogenesis is a complex process that involves the development of sperm cells from undifferentiated stem cells in the seminiferous tubules of the testes. The process is essential for the production of mature and functional sperm cells that are capable of fertilizing an egg.
The process of spermatogenesis can be divided into mitosis, meiosis, and spermiogenesis. During mitosis, the spermatogonia or stem cells divide to produce two identical daughter cells, type A and B spermatogonia. Type-A...
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In Vitro Fertilization01:24

In Vitro Fertilization

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In vitro fertilization (IVF) is a form of assisted reproductive technology where an egg is fertilized with sperm in a controlled laboratory environment before transferring the resulting embryo into the uterus. This process is designed to help individuals and couples experiencing difficulties conceiving.
The IVF process begins with ovarian stimulation, during which reproductive endocrinologists prescribe hormonal medications to stimulate the ovaries to produce multiple eggs instead of the single...
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Sperm Transport01:15

Sperm Transport

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The journey of sperm from its origin to the point of ejaculation begins within the seminiferous tubules of the testis. Here, Sertoli cells produce fluid that propels non-motile sperm through a series of conduits, starting with the straight tubules leading to the rete testis. This interconnected network of tubules acts as the initial pathway for sperm, guiding them into the efferent ductules and then into the epididymis for maturation.
The maturation phase occurs in the epididymis, where sperm...
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Meiosis II01:57

Meiosis II

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Meiosis II is the second and final stage of meiosis. It relies on the haploid cells produced during meiosis I, each of which contain only 23 chromosomes—one from each homologous initial pair. Importantly, each chromosome in these cells is composed of two joined copies, and when these cells enter meiosis II, the goal is to separate such sister chromatids using the same microtubule-based network employed in other division processes. The result of meiosis II is two haploid cells, each...
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Related Experiment Video

Updated: Feb 21, 2026

Medium-throughput Screening Assays for Assessment of Effects on Ca2+-Signaling and Acrosome Reaction in Human Sperm
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Fertilization 1: Sperm-Egg Interaction.

Shunsuke Nishio1, Tsukasa Matsuda2

  • 1Department of Applied Molecular Biosciences, Graduate School of Bioagricultural Sciences, Nagoya University, Nagoya, 464-8601, Japan.

Advances in Experimental Medicine and Biology
|October 6, 2017
PubMed
Summary

Avian fertilization involves sperm penetrating the egg's perivitelline layer, primarily via proteolysis. However, the molecules enabling sperm-egg membrane fusion remain largely unknown in birds.

Keywords:
AcrosinAcrosome reactionGerminal discGranulosa cellInfundibulumMembrane fusionPerivitelline layerStigma

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Area of Science:

  • Reproductive biology
  • Avian reproduction
  • Fertilization mechanisms

Background:

  • Avian eggs lack cumulus cells and are surrounded by a perivitelline layer (PVL).
  • Fertilization initiates with sperm penetration of the PVL, mainly at the germinal disc.
  • Sperm-egg membrane fusion is crucial for male pronucleus entry but poorly understood in birds.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To review the current understanding of avian fertilization, focusing on sperm-PVL interaction and sperm-egg fusion.
  • To highlight the molecular players involved in avian sperm-egg interaction.

Main Methods:

  • Review of microstructural studies using electron microscopy.
  • Analysis of biochemical data on sperm-perivitelline interactions.
  • Comparative genomics analysis of avian and mammalian fertilization genes.

Main Results:

  • Sperm utilize proteases to degrade the PVL, creating a penetration hole.
  • Specific sperm proteases and their PVL targets have been identified.
  • Few genes homologous to those involved in mammalian sperm-egg fusion are found in the chicken genome.

Conclusions:

  • Avian sperm-PVL interaction is characterized by proteolytic degradation.
  • Molecular mechanisms of sperm-egg membrane fusion in birds are largely uncharacterized.
  • Further research is needed to identify molecules mediating sperm entry into the avian egg.