Table of Contents

Prologue.- 1 Collection of Gametes in Laboratory Animals and Preparation of Sperm for in Vitro Fertilization.- Collection of Ova for in Vitro Fertilization.- Methods Presently Used for Sperm Collection.- Differences in Sperm as a Function of Collection Method.- Preparation of Ejaculated Sperm for Use in in Vitro Fertilization.- Methods Used to Induce Capacitation of Ejaculated Sperm.- References.- 2 Ovum Collection and Induced Luteal Dysfunction in Primates.- Ovum Collection.- Evaluation of Corpus Luteum function.- Induced Folliculogenesis.- Discussion and Conclusions.- References.- 3 Analysis of Culture Media for in Vitro Fertilization and Criteria for Success.- Culture Media.- Criteria for Success.- Conclusions.- References.- 4 In Vitro Culture of the Zygote and Embryo.- General Observations on Fertilization and Early Development in Vitro.- Metabolic Requirements for Embryonic Development in Vitro.- Complex Media and Biological Fluids for Embryo Culture.- Conclusions.- References.- 5 Mechanisms of Fertilization in Mammals.- Epididymal Maturation and Capacitation of Spermatozoa.- Acrosome and Acrosome Reaction.- Hyperactivation of Spermatozoa.- Interaction of Spermatozoa with the Cumulus Oophorus.- Interaction of Spermatozoa with the Zona Pellucida.- Sperm-Egg Fusion.- Decondensation of the Sperm Nucleus and Development of Sperm and Egg Pronuclei.- Conclusions.- References.- 6 The Mammalian Egg's Block to Polyspermy.- Zona Reaction.- Zona Reaction Mechanisms.- Egg Plasma Membrane Block.- Block to Polyspermy Mechanisms.- Conclusions.- References.- 7 Gamete Interaction in the Sea Urchin A Model for Understanding the Molecular Details of Animal Fertilization.- Fertilization in the Sea Urchin.- The Plasma Membrane of Sea Urchin Sperm.- Sperm-Specific Surface Antigenicity Common to Seven Animal Phyla.- Isolation of Acrosome Granules and Identification of Bindin as the Major Component Involved in Sperm Adhesion.- Identification of a Bindin Receptor Glycoprotein from the Egg Vitelline Layer.- Conclusions.- References.- 8 Awakening of the Invertebrate Egg at Fertilization.- Sperm-Egg Fusion and the Rapid Block to Polyspermy.- Insertion and Localization of Sperm Components in the Egg.- The Cortical Reaction and Extracellular Peroxidative Reactions.- Activation of Egg Metabolism.- Conclusions.- References.- 9 Chromosome Aberrations and Mammalian Reproduction.- The Newborn.- Postimplantation Embryos.- Preimplantation Embryos.- Germ Cells.- Conclusions.- References.- 10 The Effects of Chromosomal Aneuploidy on Early Development Experimental Approaches.- Products of Aneuploid Mouse Embryos.- The Consequences of Monosomy.- Identical Twin Embryos.- Conclusions.- References.- 11 Blastocyst Fluid Formation.- Na+/ K+ ATPase and Blastocyst Fluid Accumulation.- Oxygen Consumption and Active Transport.- Developmental Aspects of Solute Transport in Blastocysts.- Conclusions.- References.- 12 Water and Electrolyte Transport by Pig Chorioallantois.- Porcine Allantoic Fluid Volume and Composition.- Effect of Lactogenic Hormones on Transport Properties of the Porcine Chorioallantoic Membrane.- Effect of Bromocryptine on Allantoic Fluid Volume and Electrolyte Composition at Day 30 of Gestation.- Discussion and Conclusions.- References.- 13 Critical Review of Embryo Transfer Procedures with Cattle.- Normalcy of Superovulated Ova.- A Note on Experimental Design.- Morphological Evaluation of Embryos.- Morphological Normalcy of Superovulated Ova with Time.- In Vitro Culture of Bovine Embryos.- Stage of the Estrous Cycle to Initiate Superovulation.- Regimens for Inseminating Superovulated Cows.- Side of Transfer.- Stage of Embryonic Development and Surgical Transfer.- Donor-Recipient Estrous Cycle Synchrony.- Factors Affecting Pregnancy Rates after Nonsurgical Transfer.- Summary and Conclusions.- References.- Epilogue.