Abstract

Mouse ova with or without follicular cells (denuded) were treated with wheat germ agglutinin (WGA) in concentrations ranging from 5-500 mug/ml and fertilized in vitro. Ova subjected to concentrations greater than 10 mug/ml WGA were incapable of fertilization in vitro, although sperm were observed adhering to the zona pellucida after treatment in concentrations as high as 500 mug/ml WGA. At concentrations of 50 mug/ml or higher, WGA adversely affected the shape of the vitellus. Of various saccharides employed to block the effects of WGA D-glucose was the most effective. Injections of 0.03 ml of 100 mug/ml WGA into the ovarian bursa two to three hours before the expected time of ovulation had little or no effect on fertilization in vivo.

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