Abstract
Abstract Cortical reaction and polyspermy block are well defined in most marine invertebrates. In Urechis species, the function of cortical granules (CGs) is not yet known, and there is controversy on whether the cortical reaction occurs, or the fertilization envelope (FE) is attributed to CG releases or functions to prevent polyspermy. This study was carried out to determine the cortical reactions and functions of the FE in Urechis unicinctus. Artificial insemination of the eggs revealed that CG release occurred to give rise to perivitelline space (PS) into the final FE. Both PS and final FE effectively blocked polyspermy. The final FE was accomplished within 10 min after sperm‐egg initial binding. No massive release of CGs occurred within the early phase of 5 min after the initial binding, initially and the PS seemed to play a role to prevent polyspermy. The CG massively released its content into the PS in late phase of FE formation, and differentiated PS into five intermediate layers. The layers opened...
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