External calcium concentration and fertilization in the sea urchin, Strongylocentrotusfranciscansus (A. Agassiz) (Echinodermata) |
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Authors: | Fred Punzo |
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Institution: | Department of Biological Sciences, Division of Science and Mathematics, University of Tampa, Tampa, FL 33617, U.S.A. |
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Abstract: | The role of external calcium ions in the fertilization of the sea urchin, Strongylocentrotusfranciscansus (A. Agassiz), was studied. When eggs were inseminated with jelly-treated sperm in artificial sea waters containing various concentrations of calcium, the percentage of fertilization decreased with decreasing concentrations of calcium. A small amount of external calcium ions was also found to be essential for fertilization by spermatozoa with reacted acrosomes. The binding capacity of jelly-treated spermatozoa to eggs was, however, not adversely affected by a calcium deficiency. These results suggest that calcium ions are required not only for the initiation of the acrosome reaction, but also for successful levels of fertilization following sperm-binding to eggs even after the acrosome reaction has occurred. |
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