A modified Krebs-Ringer bicarbonate solution containing bovine serum albumin (BSA) supports fertilization in vitro of mouse eggs by spermatozoa taken from the uterus (Whittingham, 1968; Cross & Brinster, 1970) or the cauda epididymidis (Miyamoto & Chang, 1972; Hoppe & Pitts, 1973). Human, rabbit or equine serum albumin could be substituted for BSA (Miyamoto & Chang, 1973). Though Miyamoto & Chang (1973) noted sperm penetration of low percentages of mouse eggs in vitro in the presence of a chemically defined medium with added lactate or pyruvate, no significant fertilization has been reported to occur in the absence of albumin. Further investigations of the requirements for albumin, which are presented in this report, indicate that fertilization occurred efficiently in media supplemented with BSA in concentrations lower than those reported by others. Bovine serum albumin essentially free of fatty acids or
No takes yet. Share an insight, caveat, or question.
Hoppe et al. (1974) studied this question.