Reproduction in mice: protein kinase mimics the sperm effect on preimplantation embryo development

The creation of an environment in mouse fallopian tubes that is sufficient to sustain preimplantation embryo development is known to require the participation of spermatozoa in excess of those involved in the process of fertilization. We have now found that highly purified cAMP-dependent protein kinase can substitute for spermatozoa in the facilitation of the first cleavage of mouse embryos. Both spermatozoa and purified protein kinase induce increases in fallopian phosphoproteins. It is suggested that nonfertilizing spermatozoa could exert their effects on preimplantation embryo development through the provision of protein kinase.