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. 2001 May;18(5):305–310. doi: 10.1023/A:1016622519228

Animal Experimentation: The Biological Significance of Phospholipase C β1 Gene Mutation in Mouse Sperm in the Acrosome Reaction, Fertilization, and Embryo Development

Dooseok Choi 1, Eunyoung Lee 1, Seongsoo Hwang 1, Kisun Jun 2, Daesoo Kim 2, Byung-Koo Yoon 1, Hee-Sup Shin 2, Je-Ho Lee 1
PMCID: PMC3455337  PMID: 11464583

Abstract

Purpose: We carried out this study to evaluate the biological significance of phospholipase C β1 gene mutation in mouse sperm in the acrosome reaction, fertilization, and embryo development.

Methods: Study subjects were divided into two groups according to the sperm [intact phospholipase C (PLC) β1 and PLC β1−/− C57BL/6J × CBA F1 mouse sperm] used. The positive acrosome reaction rate labeled with fluorescein isothiocyanate–Pisum sativum agglutinin, the fertilization rate, and the rate of embryos developed to the stage of morula or blastocyst in the two groups were compared.

Results: The mouse sperm null for the PLC β1 gene showed a lower acrosome reaction rate than control sperm (69.2 vs 50.9%, P < 0.05). And the fertilization rate and the rate of embryos developed to the stage of morula or blastocyst were also lower in the group using PLC β1−/− mouse sperm compared to the intact group (P < 0.05; 73.5 vs 51.8% and 15.7 vs 4.3%, respectively).

Conclusions: Mutation of the PLC β1 gene in the mouse sperm reduces the acrosome reaction rate, fertilization rate, and embryo development rate, which may be the etiologic factors responsible for the low reproductive rate of PLC β1−/− mouse.

Keywords: phospholipase C β1 gene mutation, acrosome reaction, fertilization, embryo development

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