Bovine Egg Research Articles

Cleanability of Metal Surface Finishes Found in Medical Devices and the Environment of Care.

The surface finish of reusable medical devices often is a consideration during design, with attention paid to utility, aesthetics, and cost. To study the cleanability of metal surfaces of varying roughness and finish, soil made of bovine blood and egg yolk was placed on nickel alloy surface of varying average roughness (Ra) values (nominal values of 2-500 μin) and finishes (lapped, ground, milled, profiled, and shape turned). A commercially available wipe consisting of quaternary ammonium compound and less than 20% alcohol was applied for a total of eight wipe cycles to remove the soil. The wipe was applied in both horizontal and vertical directions. Evaluation methods for cleanliness include visual inspection and adenosine triphosphate (ATP) measurement. Rougher surfaces above nominal Ra of 250 were found to have higher ATP readings when wiped in both horizontal and vertical directions. In addition, different surface finishes have different cleanabilities despite similar nominal Ra. To ensure optimal cleaning, surfaces should be cleaned in multiple directions. In the future, similar studies will be coupled with efficacy studies and surfaces made with other materials will be investigated.

Identification of Sperm-Binding Sites in the N-Terminal Domain of Bovine Egg Coat Glycoprotein ZP4.

The species-selective interaction between sperm and egg at the beginning of mammalian fertilisation is partly mediated by a transparent envelope called the zona pellucida (ZP). The ZP is composed of three or four glycoproteins (ZP1–ZP4). The functions of the three proteins present in mice (ZP1–ZP3) have been extensively studied. However, the biological role of ZP4, which was found in all other mammals studied so far, has remained largely unknown. Previously, by developing a solid support assay system, we showed that ZP4 exhibits sperm-binding activity in bovines and the N-terminal domain of bovine ZP4 (bZP4 ZP-N1 domain) is a sperm-binding region. Here, we show that bovine sperm bind to the bZP4 ZP-N1 domain in a species-selective manner and that N-glycosylation is not required for sperm-binding activity. Moreover, we identified three sites involved in sperm binding (site I: from Gln-41 to Pro-46, site II: from Leu-65 to Ser-68 and site III: from Thr-108 to Ile-123) in the bZP4 ZP-N1 domain using chimeric bovine/porcine and bovine/human ZP4 recombinant proteins. These results provide in vitro experimental evidence for the role of the bZP4 ZP-N1 domain in mediating sperm binding to the ZP.

Micropartículas revestidas com proteínas em seu estado natural e simulação gastrointestinal in vitro

Abstract This study aimed to produce pectin and alginate microparticles by ionic gelation coated with different concentrations of bovine blood and egg white protein in their natural state. The coated microparticles were characterized, and their physical resistance and morphology were evaluated, as well as the released protein during in vitro gastrointestinal simulation. The highest protein adsorption (65.47%) was shown by pectin microparticles coated with bovine blood (10%), regardless of the protein type and concentration used. Likewise, higher amounts of adsorbed protein resulted as protein concentration increased, regardless of the type of microparticle. Nevertheless, the physical resistance of coated microparticles was affected more by the type of polysaccharide, being alginate microparticles more resistant. Adsorbed proteins on microparticles surface showed higher solubility values in vitro gastrointestinal simulation regardless of protein type. Bovine blood and egg white proteins in their natural state can be used as alternative coating materials for microparticles.

Sperm-binding regions on bovine egg zona pellucida glycoprotein ZP4 studied in a solid supported form on plastic plate.

The zona pellucida (ZP) is a transparent envelope that surrounds the mammalian oocyte and mediates species-selective sperm–oocyte interactions. The bovine ZP consists of the glycoproteins ZP2, ZP3, and ZP4. Sperm-binding mechanisms of the bovine ZP are not yet fully elucidated. In a previous report, we established the expression system of bovine ZP glycoproteins using Sf9 insect cells and found that the ZP3/ZP4 heterocomplex inhibits the binding of sperm to the ZP in a competitive inhibition assay, while ZP2, ZP3, ZP4, the ZP2/ZP3 complex, and the ZP2/ZP4 complex do not exhibit this activity. Here, we show that bovine sperm binds to plastic plates coated with ZP4 in the absence of ZP3. We made a series of ZP4 deletion mutants to study the sperm-binding sites. The N-terminal region, Lys-25 to Asp-136, and the middle region, Ser-290 to Lys-340, of ZP4 exhibit sperm-binding activity. These results suggest that among the three components of bovine ZP glycoproteins, ZP4 contains the major potential sperm-binding sites, and the formation of a multivalent complex is necessary for the sperm-binding activity of ZP4.

The Role Of Hydroxyapatite Materials On Collagen Synthesis In Alveolar Bone Defects Healing

Background: There are several cases in dentistry that cause alveolar bone defects, including periodontal disease, major trauma after tooth extraction, post-cyst enucleation, and post-surgery. Healing of alveolar bone defects can be treated in the form of bone grafting to restore the function and structure of damaged bone tissue. Hydroxyapatite has been proven to have some good properties such as biocompatible, bioactive, and osteoconductive. Osteoconductive materials serve as scaffold for osteoblasts to attach, grow, and differentiate to form new bone. Osteoblasts will synthesize collagen type 1 which functions to mineralize the bone matrix. Objective: To explain the role of hydroxyapatite on collagen synthesis in alveolar bone defects healing. Reviews: In this review article discusses the healing process of alveolar bone defects, the characteristics of the hydroxyapatite material, collagen synthesis and also 4 kinds of natural substances that can be used as a source of hydroxyapatite material for supporting the bone healing process. These natural materials include bovine bones, egg shells, crab shells, and calcite rocks. Conclusion: Hydroxyapatite material has a role in collagen synthesis in the healing process of alveolar bone defects.

Etude in vitro des propriétés anti-inflammatoires de l’extrait méthanolique des fruits de Rosa canina L. (Rosacées)

Introduction. Medicinal plants are considered an inexhaustible source of bioactive compounds such as phenolic compounds. Rosa canina L. (Rosaceae) known as Thebgha in Eastern Algeria, is widely used in traditional medicine, and nutrition. Objective. The aim of this study was to assess the anti-inflammatory activity of methanolic fruit extract from the medicinal plant R.canina. Material and methods. This study on R.canina focused on phytochemical screening. Determination of total phenolic compounds content by the fast blue BB test (FBBB), and evaluation of in vitro anti-inflammatory power by colorimetric methods relating to the denaturation of bovine serum albumin (BSA) and egg albumin were essayed. Results. The methanolic extract was prepared by the use of solvents with increasing polarity. The extract of R.canina fruits was rich in polyphenols. Concerning the anti-denaturation activity, the methanolic extract showed a high percentage of BSA inhibition of 89.34%, and egg albumin of 93.41% at the highest concentration. Thus, our results indicated that the extract had a significantly good anti-denaturation activity, compared to diclofenac. Conclusion. Our study show clearly that the methanolic extract of the R. canina fruits has a significant anti-denaturing property.

Evaluation of the sperm separability of blanc-blue-belge bull by swim-up method and in vitro embryo production with hybrid Zebu bovine oocyte in Vietnam

The objective of this study was to determine the right conditions for the separation of Blanc-Blue-Belge bovine sperm (BBB) by swim-up mothed; determine the maturity of hybrid Zebu bovine eggs; and culture of embryos after in vitro fertilization. After 60-80 minutes of swim-up in CAP-05, BBB bovine sperms were healthy, straight movement and separated with a concentration of 106 sperm/ml. Hybrid Zebu bovine eggs developed and matured in the maturation medium with the basic medium TCM-199 supplemented with 10% calf serum, FSH (0.75 µg / ml), LH (0.15 µg / ml) and Estradiol (2.5 µg / ml), the results showed that the IVM-08 medium had significantly higher maturation rates than IVM-03, the proportion of mature eggs reached 71,11% compared to 51.69%, respectively (P <0.01). In vitro fertilization of hybrid Zebu bovine egg in IVF-08 medium. In vitro fertilized embryos (BBB x hybrid Zebu) developed from bovine sperms separated by the swim-up method achieved a better rate of morula-blastocysts in IVC-09 than IVC-06 medium, 21.68% compared to 8.56%, respectively (P <0.01). The conclusion was that the suitable conditions for BBB bovine sperm separation and in vitro embryo production (BBB x hybrid Zebu) were determined. This is the premise to create bovine semen, BBB bovine embryos with defined gender.

Biomedical applications of ionic liquid mediated samarium oxide nanoparticles by Andrographis paniculata leaves extract

Green synthesis of 1-butyl 3-methyl imidazolium hexafluorophosphate ionic liquid (IL) assisted rare earth samarium oxide nanoparticles (NPs) was done using Andrographis paniculata leaves extract by hydrothermal method. The crystallinity, particle size and morphology of the IL assisted Samarium oxide (IL-Sm2O3) NPs were studied by powder X-ray diffraction (PXRD), dynamic light scattering (DLS), scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and high resolution transmission electron microscopy (HRTEM). The average particle sizes of 30–50 nm were identified by SEM and transmission electron microscope (TEM) analyses. The chemical elements and states with their corresponding binding energy values on the prepared IL-Sm2O3 NPs were identified by energy dispersive X-ray spectroscopy and X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy. The various functional groups such as Sm–O and COO− were identified by FTIR and laser Raman spectroscopy. The optical behaviors of IL-Sm2O3 NPs were characterized by UV–Vis and photoluminescence studies. The positive biological activities of IL-Sm2O3 NPs were proved from antibacterial, antioxidant and anti-inflammatory studies. The anti-inflammatory activity was detected using bovine serum and EGG albumin denaturation assay at different concentrations with standard drugs. It was found that the antioxidant activity of IL assisted Sm2O3 NPs has a higher impact than the antioxidant activity of Vitamin C.

Field Testing Integrated Interventions for Schistosomiasis Elimination in the People's Republic of China: Outcomes of a Multifactorial Cluster-Randomized Controlled Trial.

Despite significant progress, China faces the challenge of re-emerging schistosomiasis transmission in currently controlled areas due, in part, to the presence of a range of animal reservoirs, notably water buffalo and cattle, which can harbor Schistosoma japonicum infections. Environmental, ecological and social-demographic changes in China, shown to affect the distribution of oncomelanid snails, can also impact future schistosomiasis transmission. In light of their importance in the S. japonicum, lifecycle, vaccination has been proposed as a means to reduce the excretion of egg from cattle and buffalo, thereby interrupting transmission from these reservoir hosts to snails. A DNA-based vaccine (SjCTPI) our team developed showed encouraging efficacy against S. japonicum in Chinese water buffaloes. Here we report the results of a double-blind cluster randomized trial aimed at determining the impact of a combination of the SjCTPI bovine vaccine (given as a prime-boost regimen), human mass chemotherapy and snail control on the transmission of S. japonicum in 12 selected administrative villages around the Dongting Lake in Hunan province. The trial confirmed human praziquantel treatment is an effective intervention at the population level. Further, mollusciciding had an indirect ~50% efficacy in reducing human infection rates. Serology showed that the SjCTPI vaccine produced an effective antibody response in vaccinated bovines, resulting in a negative correlation with bovine egg counts observed at all post-vaccination time points. Despite these encouraging outcomes, the effect of the vaccine in preventing human infection was inconclusive. This was likely due to activities undertaken by the China National Schistosomiasis Control Program, notably the treatment, sacrifice or removal of bovines from trial villages, over which we had no control; as a result, the trial design was compromised, reducing power and contaminating outcome measures. This highlights the difficulties in undertaking field trials of this nature and magnitude, particularly over a long period, and emphasizes the importance of mathematical modeling in predicting the potential impact of control intervention measures. A transmission blocking vaccine targeting bovines for the prevention of S. japonicum with the required protective efficacy would be invaluable in tandem with other preventive intervention measures if the goal of eliminating schistosomiasis from China is to become a reality.

Bovine eggs release zinc in response to parthenogenetic and sperm-induced egg activation

Upon fertilization or parthenogenesis, zinc is released into the extracellular space through a series of exocytic events termed zinc sparks, which are tightly coordinated with intracellular calcium transients. The zinc spark reduces the total amount of intracellular zinc, and this reduction is necessary and sufficient to induce egg activation even in the absence of calcium transients. In addition, this zinc release contributes to the block to polyspermy through modification of the zona pellucida. The zinc spark has been documented in all organisms examined to date including the mouse, two species of nonhuman primates, and human. Here we determined whether zinc sparks occur in the bovine, an important model of gamete development in mono-ovulatory mammalian species. We obtained metaphase II-arrested (MII) bovine eggs following in vitro maturation. Total zinc, assessed in single cells using X-Ray Fluorescence Microscopy, was significantly more abundant in the bovine egg compared to iron and copper. Studies with intracellular fluorescent probes revealed that labile zinc pools are localized to discrete cytoplasmic punctae enriched at the cortex. To determine whether zinc undergoes dynamic fluxes during egg activation, we parthenogenetically activated bovine eggs using two approaches: ionomycin or bovine phospholipase C zeta (bPlcζ). Both these methods induced zinc sparks coordinately with intracellular calcium transients. The zinc spark was also observed in bovine eggs following intracytoplasmic sperm injection. These results establish that zinc is the most abundant transition metal in the bovine egg, and zinc flux during egg activation - induced by chemical activation or sperm - is a highly conserved event across mammalian species.

Anti-arthritic activity of aqueous-methanolic extract and various fractions of Berberis orthobotrys Bien ex Aitch

BackgroundThe roots and stem bark of Berberis orthobotrys (Berberidaceae) have long been used traditionally to treat joint pain. Though, it has not been pharmacologically assessed for rheumatoid arthritis. The current study explores anti-arthritic activity and phytochemical analysis of aqueous-methanolic extract (30:70) and fractions (ethyl acetate, n-butanol, and aqueous) of Berberis orthobotrys roots.MethodsAnti-arthritic potential was evaluated in vitro using protein denaturation (bovine serum albumin and egg albumin) and membrane stabilization methods at 12.5–800 μg/ml concentration and in vivo via turpentine oil, formaldehyde and Complete Freund Adjuvant (CFA) models at 50, 100 and 150 mg/kg doses. Also, in vitro antioxidant ability was appraised by reducing power assay. Moreover, total flavonoid content, Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy and High performance liquid chromatography of n-butanol fraction were performed.ResultsThe results revealed concentration dependent inhibition of albumin denaturation and notable RBC membrane stabilization, with maximum results obtained at 800 μg/ml. Similarly, plant exhibited dose dependent anti-arthritic effect in turpentine oil and formaldehyde models, with maximum activity observed at 150 mg/kg. The results of CFA model depicted better protection against arthritic lesions and body weight alterations. Also, B.orthobotrys remarkably ameliorated altered hematological parameters, rheumatoid factor and positively modified radiographic and histopathological changes. Additionally, plant exhibited remarkable anti-oxidant activity. Moreover, phytochemical analysis revealed polyphenols and flavonoids.ConclusionTaken together, these results support traditional use of B.orthobotrys as potent anti-arthritic agent that may be proposed for rheumatoid arthritis treatment.

Washing Study of Stained Woolen fabric (having stains of Boot Polish and Hair Color Dye) with Coconut Oil Driven Amylase Loaded EANPs as Bio active Nano-Wool Detergent Shampoo Additives

Amylase is exploited very significantly in textile, leather, paper and detergent industries for fabric washing, desizing of fabrics and starch processing due to having starch degrading feature. Amylase immobilization was done on to various biocompatible supports by adopting various methods to enhance its thermal and storage stability. Its immobilization onto albumin matrices such as bovine serum albumin (BSA) and egg albumin (EA) were observed to be very significant and low-cost enzyme nanotechnique to synthesis its non-toxic and low-cost amylase loaded BSA nanoparticles (BSANPs) and egg albumin nanoparticles (encapsulated EANPs). In this proposed washing practice, coconut oil driven Cicer aritenium amylase loaded emulsified egg albumin nanoparticles (EANPs) were used and made bio-active with standardized 35U of alkaline protease for their biodegradation to allow the controlled release bound amylase. Then, these bio-active amylase loaded EANPs were used as nano-wool shampoo additives with chosen woolen shampoo named, “Ezee Liquid Detergent” to test the stain removal efficacy from stained woolen fabric without affecting the delicacy and softness of the chosen woolen fabric. In this designed study, chosen stains were comprised of daily routine stains of boot polish and hair color dye cream named, Kiwi Leather Extra Shine Black and Loreal Paris Casting Creme Gloss Black respectively. Sometimes, these stains are very tough to remove from the woolen/cashmere fabric or required couple of pre-washing practices. So, keeping this domestic or industrial washing issue, these stains are chosen very thoughtfully. And, from this washing analysis, effective washing observations were carried out to wash off the selected stains form woolen fabric when washed with chosen wool detergent shampoo along with bio-active prepared coconut oil driven amylase encapsulated EANPs solution as compared their washing with chosen wool detergent shampoo alone.

Preparation, Characterization and Performance Studies of Active PVDF Ultrafiltration-Surfactants Membranes Containing PVP as Additive

The role of surfactants in the formation of active Poly (vinylidene fluoride) (PVDF) ultrafiltration (AUF) membranes was studied. The effect combination of surfactants that are Sodium dodecyl sulfate (SDS)/Tween 80 and Tween 80/Triton X-100 formulations on performance and morphological structures were investigated for the first time. The influence of surfactants blends on the membrane pores was also examined. Experimental data showed that combination of Tween 80/Triton X-100 give the highest BSA permeation flux which value 285.51 Lm-2h-1. With combination of SDS/Tween 80, the AUF membrane showed the highest protein rejection up to 93% and 79% for Bovine Serum Albumin (BSA) and Egg Albumin (EA), respectively. Moreover, membranes characterization demonstrated that the addition of SDS/Tween 80 and Tween 80/Triton X-100 were found to affect the performance, surface morphologies and membrane pores of AUF PVDF membranes.

Spectroscopic Study on the Interaction of 4-dimethylaminochalcones with Phospholipids

The ultraviolet-visible and fluorescence spectroscopic properties of 4′-dimethylaminochalcone (1a) and its cyclic analogs 2a–4a have been studied in the presence of phospholipid vesicles (i.e., egg yolk lecithin and dipalmitoylpho sphatidylcholine), bovine serum albumin (BSA), and lipoprotein particles (i.e., bovine serum albumin plus egg yolk lecithin). The spectral results showed that compounds 1a–4a formed hydrophobic interactions with the phospholipids, lipoproteins, and BSA at the polar/nonpolar interface. Compounds 3a and 4a exhibited the strongest hydrophobic interactions of all of the compounds tested towards the phospholipids. Compound 2a gave the best fluorescent fluorophore indicating interactions with the lipids, lipoproteins, and proteins. Fluorescent microscopic imaging of breast cancer cells treated with compounds 1a–4a revealed that they could be used to stain all of the cellular components and destroy the nuclear structure. Compounds 1a–4a were found to be concentrated predominantly on the surfaces of the liposomes and lipoproteins.

Effect of poly(ether–ether–sulfone) concentration on the morphology, performance, thermal stability, mechanical strength, and antifouling of asymmetric cellulose acetate ultrafiltration membranes

The aim of the present work is to investigate the morphology, performance, thermal stability, mechanical strength, and antifouling of the poly(ether–ether–sulfone) (PEES)-incorporated asymmetric cellulose acetate (CA)-blended ultrafiltration membranes. High-performance CA/PEES blend ultrafiltration membranes were prepared by the phase inversion technique. The effects of PEES concentration (0–30 wt%) on pure water permeability (PWP), water content, porosity, molecular weight cutoff, mean pore size, morphology, hydrophilicity, and thermal and mechanical properties of the CA/PEES blend membranes were investigated. Morphological studies were carried out using scanning electron microscopy. scanning electron microscopic studies revealed that the incorporation of PEES resulted in the formation of a thin top layer, a porous sub-layer, and the open pores in the bottom layer. The thermal properties of these polymeric membranes were evaluated by thermogravimetric and differential thermogravimetric analyses measurements, whereas the glass transition temperature of the membranes was calculated by differential scanning calorimetry. With the increase in the concentration of PEES on the CA membranes, the PWP, hydrophilicity, water content, porosity, the thermal stability, glass transition temperature, tensile strength, tensile modulus, and elongation at break significantly improved in the blend membranes. The efficiency of these membranes in the separation of commercially important proteins such as bovine serum albumin (BSA), egg albumin, pepsin, and trypsin was studied and found to be enhanced as compared to CA membranes. In fouling experiments, BSA was used as the model protein, and flux recovery ratio (FRR) of the membranes was calculated. Attempts have been made to correlate the changes in membrane morphology with pure water flux, water content, porosity, thermal and mechanical stability, separation efficiency, and antifouling property of the CA/PEES membranes. It has been demonstrated that the fouling-resistant ability of CA/PEES membranes is enhanced due to the high FRR with the addition of PEES in the casting solution. Based on the findings, it can be concluded that the membranes prepared with 80/20 composition of CA/PEES blend membranes are promising candidates for industrial applications.

Sol-Gel Preparation of HAp-Coated Silica Macrospheres from Water Glass and their Protein Adsorption

Silica gel macrospheres of 2~4 mm in size, and wrapped with Ca-alginate chelate film were prepared as the substrate for hydroxyapatite coating layer, using water glass as the silica source. Those Ca-SiO2 macrospheres were soaked in a 1:1 (volume) mixture of ethanol and 0.1 M Na2HPO4 to deposit hydroxyapatite layer (HAp-SiO2 macrospheres). Adsorption of bovine serum albumin and egg lysozyme on those Ca-SiO2 and HAp-SiO2 macrospheres under physiological pH (7.2) was well correlated to the Langmuir-type adsorption equation. The electrostatic interactions between the protein molecules and those macrospheres well interpret the adsorption isotherms, while the mesopores in the Ca-SiO2 contributed to some extent. A multi-layer adsorption model was proposed.

Simultaneous Measurement of Thermophysical Properties of Tissue-Mimicking Phantoms for High Intensity Focused Ultrasound (HIFU) Exposures

Tissue-mimicking phantoms, including bovine serum albumin phantoms and egg white phantoms, have been developed for, and in laboratory use for, real-time visualization of high intensity focused ultrasound-induced thermal coagulative necrosis since 2001. However, until now, very few data are available concerning their thermophysical properties. In this article, a step-wise transient plane source method has been used to determine the values of thermal conductivity, thermal diffusivity, and specific heat capacity of egg white phantoms with elevated egg white concentrations (0 v/v% to 40 v/v%, by 10 v/v% interval) at room temperature (~20 °C). The measured thermophysical properties were close to previously reported values; the thermal conductivity and thermal diffusivity were linearly proportional to the egg white concentration within the investigation range, while the specific heat capacity decreased as the egg white concentration increased. Taking account of large differences between real experiment and ideal model, data variations within 20 % were accepted.

Application Studies of Cellulose Acetate and Polymethylmethacrylate Blend Ultrafiltration Membranes

The preparation of novel membranes based on cellulose acetate and polymethylmethacrylate blends in the absence and presence of the pore former by solution blending and ultrafiltration set up was carried out. The effect of compaction time on pure water flux at higher transmembrane pressure for various polymer compositions of the above blends both in the presence and absence of the pore former PEG 600 at different concentrations were reported for individual polymer blends. The pure water flux at 345 kPa, Molecular weight cut-off (MWCO). The application of the characterized CA/PMMA blend membranes for the separation of proteins such as Bovine Serum albumin, Egg Albumin, Pepsin, and Trypsin, and toxic heavy metals such as Cu(II), Ni(II), and Zn(II) using polyethyleneimine as complexing agent have been attempted and the results indicate the efficiency of the ultrafiltration blend membranes.

Independent Spatial and Temporal Functions of Human Sperm Centrosomes After Dispermic Microinjection Into Bovine Oocytes

During mammalian fertilization, a centrosome is introduced by the sperm during the first cell cycle to organize a radial array of microtubules known as the sperm aster. In nature, multiple human sperm centrosomes may exist in the same egg cytoplasm during polyspermy. However, critical information concerning individual sperm centrosomal function with regards to the latter case remains unknown. We subsequently examined the sperm aster formation after injection of multiple human sperm into a bovine egg. When 2 fertile human sperm were simultaneously microinjected into different regions of the same bovine egg cytoplasm, no difference in sperm aster formation rate was observed compared to cases in which a single sperm was injected. Two human sperm were also microinjected into bovine eggs 30-, 60- and 120-minute intervals apart from one another, and no difference in sperm aster formation rates were observed. Among eggs in which 1 sperm aster was organized, there was no observable bias towards the first or second injected sperm. These findings indicated that when multiple human sperm are present in a single egg cytoplasm, each centrosome can function independently from the other. This fact suggests the possibility of transplanting a normal sperm centrosome into an egg with a sperm known to have centrosomal dysfunction.

Human Sperm Centrosomal Function during Fertilization, a Novel Assessment for Male Sterility

In human fertilization, the sperm introduces the centrosome-the microtubule organizing center-and microtubules are organized within the inseminated egg from the sperm centrosome. These microtubules form a radial array, the sperm aster, the functioning of which is essential for pronuclear movement for the union of the male and female genomes. We established functional assay for human sperm centrosomal function, by using heterologus ICSI system with bovine and rabbit eggs. After human sperm incorporation into mammalian egg, we observed that the sperm aster was organized from sperm centrosome, and the sperm aster enlarged as the sperm nuclei underwent pronuclear formation. The normal human sperm aster formation rate at 6 h post-ICSI were 60.0% in bovine egg and 36.1% in rabbit egg, respectively. However, sperm aster formation rate following heterologus ICSI into bovine eggs with teratozoospermia (globozoospermia, dysplasia of fibrous sheath) were low. These data indicate that human sperm centrosomal function is low in abnormal shaped sperm. Wherus, elucidation of human sperm centrosomal function can lead us to find a new type of failure in "post ICSI events in fertilization".