Immunological Aspects of Sperm Receptors on the Zona Pellucida of Mammalian Eggs

Sperm receptor sites on the surface of the zona pellucida are believed to be necessary for fertilization on the mammalian egg. Ovary specific antibodies are known to precipitate the zona pellucida and are also responsible for inhibition of sperm binding and subsequent fertilization. The nature of the proposed receptor sites which are blocked by antibodies are discussed relative to comparable studies in which phytoagglutinins and other agents are used to determine the chemical nature of sperm receptor sites.