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Hum. Reprod. Advance Access published online on March 10, 2005
Human Reproduction, doi:10.1093/humrep/deh835
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Human Reproduction © European Society of Human Reproduction and Embryology 2005; all rights reserved
Received December 22, 2004
Revised January 27, 2005
Accepted February 9, 2005

Article

Cracking the egg: increased complexity in the zona pellucida

S.J. Conner 1*, L. Lefièvre 1, D.C. Hughes 2, and C.L.R. Barratt 1

1 Reproductive Biology and Genetics Group, Division of Medical Sciences, University of Birmingham, Edgbaston, Birmingham B15 2TT, UK; Assisted Conception Unit, Birmingham Women's Hospital, Metchley Park Road, Edgbaston, Birmingham B15 2TG, UK
2 School of Biomedical and Natural Sciences, The Nottingham Trent University, Clifton Lane, Nottingham NG11 8NS, UK

* To whom correspondence should be addressed.
S.J. Conner, E-mail: s.j.conner{at}bham.ac.uk


  Abstract

A functional zona pellucida is critical for both fertilization and the early stages of embryo development. Recent data from genomic and proteomic studies have questioned our simplistic view of the zona as being composed of three proteins whose functions are clearly defined. In the human, for example, the zona pellucida is composed of four proteins, not three. The increased complexity of the zona pellucida in humans and other species across the evolutionary tree now demands that we reconsider our reliance on the mouse model for understanding early fertilization events. Additionally, we are now well placed to examine, for the first time, potential defects in zona genes and their proteins associated with defined pathology.

Keywords: fertilization; human; zona pellucida; ZP1; ZPB.
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