Mechanisms Involved in Mammalian Gamete Interaction

Fertilization in mammals is a complex process involving a series of coordinated steps in which spermatozoa need to penetrate the coats that surround the ovulated egg (i.e., cumulus oophorus and zona pellucida) to then fuse with the egg plasma membrane. This article will describe the unique features of the eutherian mammalian gametes as well as the strategies and molecular mechanisms involved in each of the stages of the fertilization process.