Abstract
Studies with hamster gametes in vitro have shown that the microvilli of the vitellus wrap around the head of the sperm and fuse with its plasma membrane in the postacrosomal region (Yanagimachi and Noda, 1972). The role of the postacrosomal plasma membrane in initiating fusion between mammalian gametes is in striking contrast to gamete fusion in marine invertebrates in which initial contact with the egg membranes is made by an apical process extending from the inner acrosomal membrane (Colwin and Colwin, 1967; Epel, 1975; Summers et al., 1975).
Access this chapter
Tax calculation will be finalised at checkout
Purchases are for personal use only
Author information
Authors and Affiliations
Rights and permissions
Copyright information
© 1977 Plenum Press, New York
About this chapter
Cite this chapter
Gwatkin, R.B.L. (1977). Fusion of the Sperm with the Vitellus. In: Fertilization Mechanisms in Man and Mammals. Springer, Boston, MA. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-1-4615-8804-7_10
Download citation
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/978-1-4615-8804-7_10
Publisher Name: Springer, Boston, MA
Print ISBN: 978-1-4615-8806-1
Online ISBN: 978-1-4615-8804-7
eBook Packages: Springer Book Archive