Comparative Solubility Properties of the Zona Pellucidae of Unfertilized Murine, Ovine and Bovine Ova

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Abstract
Unfertilized ova were collected from mice, cows, mature and prepuberal ewes by flushing uteri and oviducts following ovulation. Vitellus diameter and zona pellucida thickness were measured for 50 ova of each animal type. The zona pellucida of single ova were dissolved in pronase under controlled conditions and the dissolution time was measured. Zona pellucida thickness and total area when compared among animal types were significantly different (P<.01) except between mature and prepuberal ewes. Zona pellucida dissolution time in pronase was significantly correlated with zona pellucida thickness within animal types. Significant differences among animal types were observed for zona pellucida dissolution times (P<.01). Although physical measurements showed the unfertilized ova of mature and prepuberal ewes to be of equal dimensions, the zona pellucida dissolution times for zonae of ova from prepuberal ewes was significantly less than for zonae of ova from mature ewes. The results suggest that the physiochemical properties of the zona pellucida of unfertilized mammalian ova may be different. Further, the nature of the zona pellucida of ova from the prepuberal ewe may be altered by the environment within the immature tract. Copyright © 1977. American Society of Animal Science . Copyright 1977 by American Society of Animal Science.