The Mammalian Egg Coat

1. Front Matter

   Pages I-XVI

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2. Molecular Genetics of the Mouse Zona Pellucida

   • M. E. Chamberlin, M. J. Ringuette, C. C. Philpott, S. M. Chamow, J. Dean

   Pages 1-17

3. The Mouse Egg Receptor For Sperm: A Multifunctional Zona Pellucida Glycoprotein

   • P. Wassarman, J. Bleil, C. Fimiani, H. Florman, J. Greve, R. Kinloch et al.

   Pages 18-37

4. Ovarian Development and the Formation of the Mammalian Zona Pellucida

   • B. S. Dunbar, G. A. Maresh, K. Washenik

   Pages 38-48

5. Ultrastructural Aspects of the Developing Mammalian Zona Pellucida

   • J. Dietl

   Pages 49-60

6. Zona Binding Sites of the Spermatozoon

   • R. B. L. Gwatkin

   Pages 61-74

7. Fractionation and Characterization of the Glycoproteins of Zona Pellucida

   • M. Nakano

   Pages 75-98

8. Transfer of Oviductal Proteins to the Zona Pellucida

   • G. Bleau, S. St-Jacques

   Pages 99-110

9. Clinical Significance of Autoantibodies to the Zona Pellucida

   • Takahide Mori, K. Ida, Y. Noda, H. Matsumoto, Tsuneatsu Mori, E. Mori

   Pages 111-127

10. Use of the Zona Pellucida as an Immunocontraceptive Target Antigen

    • A. G. Sacco, E. C. Yurewicz

    Pages 128-153

11. Back Matter

    Pages 155-156

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Publication of this monograph acknowledges great strides made in research on the zona pellucida during the past decade or so. The body of work presented testifies to a resurgence of interest in the zona pellucida, prompted largely by a renewed appreciation of its unique properties and its important functions during early mam­ malian development. It is gratifying to realize that the zona pellucida has at last achieved a well-deserved attention. Whereas extracellular coats of nonmammalian eggs have been studied intensively for many years, the zona pellucida by comparison, has until now taken a back seat. Fortunately, the research presented here signals an end to this situ­ ation. Many of the difficulties inherent in working with relatively small amounts of material have been overcome, paving the way for application of a wider variety of experimental approaches to the zona pellucida by a larger community of investigators. Hopefully, this monograph will serve as a catalyst in this regard. As revealed in these pages, application of contemporary experi­ mental methodologies has had significant impact on both pure and applied research on the zona pellucida. For example, modem im­ munological approaches have been used to assess molecular fea­ tures of zona pellucida structure and function, as well as to evalu­ ate the zona pellucida as a potential contraceptive target antigen.

• fertility
• infertility
• protein
• reproductive biology

• Universitäts-Frauenklinik, Eberhard-Karls-Universität, Tübingen, Federal Republic of Germany

  Johannes Dietl

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