Immunological specificity of anti-zona binding to zona pellucida

Biochemically purified and F(ab')2 immunoglobulin fractions were prepared from several antisera, including a human serum, which contained anti-zona pellucida activity. Anti-zona activity was monitored either by the formation of the antibody produced precipitation layer on the zona following antiserum treatment and/or by the indirect fluorescent antibody method. No changes in anti-zona activity were observed when the purified and the digested immunoglobulin preparations from each antiserum were compared to their whole serum counterparts. It is included that anti-zona binding to the zona as well as the formation of the precipitation layer on the zona is the result of a specific antigen-antibody reaction.