Abstract
Hermaphroditic invertebrates and plants have a self-recognition system on the cell surface of sperm and eggs, which prevents their self-fusion and enhances non-self-fusion, thereby contributing to genetic variation. However, the system of sperm–egg recognition in mammals is under debate. To address this issue, we explored the role of major histocompatibility complex class I (MHC class I, also known as histocompatibility 2-Kb or H2-Kb and H2-Db in mice) antigens by analyzing H2-Kb-/-H2-Db-/-β2-microglobulin (β2M)-/- triple-knockout (T-KO) male mice with full fertility. T-KO sperm exhibited an increased sperm number in the perivitelline space of wild-type (WT) eggs in vitro. Moreover, T-KO sperm showed multiple fusion with zona pellucida (ZP)-free WT eggs, implying that the ability of polyspermy block for sperm from T-KO males was weakened in WT eggs. When T-KO male mice were intercrossed with WT female mice, the percentage of females in progeny increased. We speculate that WT eggs prefer fusion with T-KO sperm, more specifically X-chromosome-bearing sperm (X sperm), suggesting the presence of preferential (non-random) fertilization in mammals, including humans.
Highlights
Alternative alleles are transmitted through fertilization to progeny, ensuring the balanced transmission of parental genetic material
We explored the role of major histocompatibility complex (MHC) class I antigens in the interaction between sperm and egg in mice
To explore the contribution of MHC class I antigens to fertility, we examined litter size in mice by intercrossing between WT, T-hetero, and T-KO mice (Figure 1b)
Summary
Alternative alleles are transmitted through fertilization to progeny, ensuring the balanced transmission of parental genetic material. Allorecognition is the unidirectional ability of an organism to. 2020, 21, 8731; doi:10.3390/ijms21228731 www.mdpi.com/journal/ijms balanced transmission of parental genetic material. Allorecognition is the unidirectional ability of an organism to distinguish non-self-cells from self-cells [1,2]. Self-incompatibility systems in plants [3]
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