Sperm recognition and matrix formation mechanisms of mammalian egg coats

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Protein compositions of mammalian egg coats are different among mammals, and therefore sperm recognition mechanism might be different among mammals. In pigs and cows, both egg coats are composed of ZP2, ZP3, and ZP4 glycoproteins and ZP3/ZP4 complex shows sperm-binding activity. Therefore, we speculated that sperm recognition mechanisms are similar between pigs and cows. In this project, we found that in cows N-terminal region of ZP3 and C-terminal region of ZP4 were involved in sperm-binding activity. On the other hand, in pigs C-terminal region of ZP3 and N-terminal region of ZP4 were involved in the binding activity. This difference in sperm-binding sites suggests difference in supramolecular structures between pig and bovine egg coats. This hypothesis is to be investigated.