Fertilization provides in-depth reviews of individual research topics, while emphasizing key concepts and the significance of findings within other fields. The author identifies essential questions to be answered by future research. Fertilization broadly covers the many molecular and cellular events of animal fertilization and includes a section on unique problems and potential applications of fertilization research.

Table of Contents:
Contributors Preface Acknowledgments Section I Fertilization Events 1 Gamete Transport I. Introduction II. Sperm Transport III. Oocyte Transport IV. A Model for Gamete Transport References 2 Sperm Motility ActIVation and Chemoattraction I. Introduction II. Assays III. Motility Acquisition IV. Motility ActIVation V. Motility Modulation in the Female ReproductIVe Tract VI. Egg-associated Motility Stimulation VII. Chemoattraction VIII. Concluding Remarks References 3 Capacitation I. Introduction II. initiation, Propagation, and Termination of Capacitation III. Molecular Mechanism of Capacitation IV. Physiological Mechanism and Role of Capacitation V Conclusions References 4 Function of the Egg's Extracellular Matrix I. Introduction II. The Cumulus Oophorus III. The Zona Pellucida IV. Future Directions References 5 Sperm Adhesion to the Extracellular Matrix of the Egg I. Introduction II. Basic Biology of Sperm-Eem Adhesion III. Identification of Eem Adhesion Molecules IV. Future Prospects and Directions References 6 Signal Transduction Mechanisms Regulating Sperm Acrosomal Exocytosis I. Introduction II. Biogenesis and Morphology of the Acrosome III. Biological Significance of Acrosomal Exocytosis IV. Physiological Site of Acrosomal Exocytosis V. The Zona Pellucida and Progesterone as Physiological Inducers of Acrosomal Exocytosis VI. Sperm-associated Receptor/Binding Proteins for the Zona Pellucida and Progesterone VII. Signal Transduction Mechanisms Mediating the Effects of the Zona Pellucida and Progesterone References 7 Regulation of Sperm Lon Currents I. Importance of Ion Channels II. Sperm Ion Transport and EnVIronmental Sensing III. Modulation of Sperm Ion Transport by Diffusible Egg Components IV. Modulation of Sperm Ion Transport During the Acrosome Reaction V. Spermatogenic Cells, A New Tool To Study Sperm Ion Channels VI. Concluding Remarks References 8 Function of the Sperm Acrosome I. Introduction II. The Prevailing View: the Acrosome Reaction Model III. An AlternatIVe Paradigm: the Acrosomal Exocytosis Model IV. Other Considerations of Acrosomal Proteins V. Future Directions VI. Summary References 9 Gamete Fusion in Mammals I. Introduction II. Specificity of Gamete Fusion III. A Hypothetical Pathway Leading to Sperm-Egg Fusion IV. Sperm and Egg Surface Proteins Involved in Gamete Binding and Fusion V. Hypothetical Steps After Binding and Before Fusion VI. Sperm Tail Stiffening VII. Fusion in Other Systems VIII. Prospectus References 10 Membrane Events of Egg Activation I. Introduction II. Ca2+ Waves and Oscillations At Fertilization III. Electrical Events and Fertilization IV. The Latent Period of Fertilization 327 V. Signaling Molecules and Mechanisms Leading To Ca2+ Release VI. Sperm as a Ca2+ Conduit VII. Sperm Contact as the Signal VIII. The Sperm Content Hypothesis IX. Conclusions References Section II Unique Problems and Applications 11 Molecular Genetics of Fertilization I. Introduction II. Gametes Have Unusual Characteristics III. Genetic Model Systems References 12 Gamete Immunobiology I. Introduction II. Fetal and Neonatal Germ Cells III. The Developing Immune System IV. Immune Response To Gametes in the Fetal, Neonatal, and Prepubertal Stages V. Immune Response To Gametes in the Adult VI. Immune Response To Male Gametes in the Adult Female VII. Concluding Remarks References 13 Fertilization Biophysics I. Introduction II. Sperm as Force-Generating Machines III. Tethering Sperm IV. Sperm Capture By Eggs V. Sperm Penetration of Egg Coats VI. The Transition From Sperm Adhesion To Penetration of the Zona Pellucida VII. Summary References 14 Applications of Fertility Regulation for the Management of Wild and Domestic Species I. Introduction II. Case Studies On Wildlife Management III. Fertility Control: Targets and Immunological Intervention IV. Reproductive Tract Immune Responses V. Bait DelIVery of An ImmunocontraceptIVe Vaccine VI. Concluding Remarks References Index