Normal penetration of rabbit spermatozoa through a trypsin- and acrosin-resistant zona pellucida

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Abstract
Exposure of rabbit ova to wheat germ agglutinin (WGA) at a concentration of 50 .mu.g/ml for 30-45 min rendered the zona pellucida at least 10 times more resistant to digestion by 1 mg trypsin/ml and also more resistant to acrosin. The zonas of WGA-treated eggs were penetrated by spermatozoa as readily as those of untreated eggs in the same oviduct. Penetration of spermatozoa through the zona pellucida may not require the agency of a trypsin-like enzyme acting as a primary zona lysin. The validity of the general belief that a lysin is necessary for zona penetration is considered briefly in relation to the mode of penetration and structural organization of the mammalian sperm head.