Functional Morphology of the Zona Pellucida

Abstract

The zona pellucida (ZP) is an extracellular matrix surrounding the oocyte and the early embryo that exerts several important functions during fertilization and early embryonic development. The ZP of most mammalian species is composed of three major glycoproteins that show considerable heterogeneity due to extensive post‐translational modifications. Sodium dodecyl sulphate polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis of the ZP reveals three to four glycoproteins which have been nominated ZP1, ZP2, ZP3 and ZP4. As cloning and characterization of the ZP genes of a variety of mammalian species including domestic animals show a high homology, three classes of ZP genes, ZPA, ZPB and ZPC can be discerned. The corresponding proteins were named ZPA, ZPB and ZPC. Whereas in the mouse ZPB is the primary sperm receptor, the situation is more complicated in other species. For instance, in the pig ZPA has been shown to possess receptor activity. Interaction between gametes during fertilization is at least in part regulated by carbohydrate moieties of the ZP and carbohydrate‐binding proteins of the sperm surface. In domestic animals zona proteins are expressed in both the oocyte and granulosa cells in a stage‐specific pattern and may play a role in granulosa cell differentiation. The role of ZP glycoproteins in immunocontraception is briefly discussed.