A direct measurement of increased divalent cation influx in fertilised mouse oocytes

On fertilisation of mouse oocytes, the fusing spermatozoon triggers a series of repetitive calcium (Ca2+) spikes. The Ca2+ spikes seem to be necessary for successful progression through the cell cycle and are regulated in a cell-cycle-dependent manner. The spikes appear to require the linkage of continuous Ca2+ influx to the periodic release of Ca2+ from intracellular stores by a process of Ca(2+)-induced Ca2+ release. The precise role of Ca2+ influx was explored using the manganese (Mn2+)-quench technique to monitor unidirectional cation influx into single mouse oocytes. There was a marked stimulation of cation influx associated closely with the upsweep of the first and subsequent fertilisation Ca2+ spikes. A smaller but significant increase in the rate of cation influx persisted in the interspike period in fertilised oocytes. Spike-associated entry was not as apparent in oocytes stimulated to spike repetitively by thimerosal or acetylcholine application. Instead, there was a continuous increase in cation influx underlying Ca2+ spiking which commenced with the onset of the first spike. Using the specific microsomal inhibitor thapsigargin and the Ca2+ ionophore ionomycin, we found evidence for a capacitative entry mechanism in mouse oocytes. We propose that the persistent influx of Ca2+ observed in response to all stimuli examined is controlled by a capacitative mechanism and sets the frequency of spiking by determining the time taken to refill the internal stores to a point where they are again sensitive enough to initiate the next spike.