BACKGROUND Infertility affects between 10 and 16% of couples worldwide. Twenty to 30%
of cases of infertility are due to a male factor, 20–35% to a female factor, and 25–40% are …

Assisted reproduction technology (ART) has become an attractive option for infertility
treatment and holds tremendous promise. However, at present, there is still room for …

Calcium (Ca2+) signals initiate egg activation across the animal kingdom and in at least
some plants. These signals are crucial for the success of development and, in the case of …

Changes in the intracellular concentration of free calcium ([Ca2+] i) regulate diverse cellular
processes including fertilization. In mammalian eggs, the [Ca2+] i changes induced by the …

This chapter intends to summarise the importance of sperm-and oocyte-derived factors in
the processes of sperm–oocyte binding and oocyte activation. First, we describe the initial …

The proper maturation of both male and female gametes is essential for supporting
fertilization and the early embryonic divisions. In the ovary, immature fully-grown oocytes …

Mammalian embryo development begins when the fertilizing sperm triggers a series of
elevations in the oocyte's intracellular free Ca 2+ concentration. The elevations are the result …

The activation of the developmental program in mammalian eggs relies on the initiation at
the time of fertilization of repeated rises in the intracellular concentration of free calcium …

Speculation has arisen that human fecundity may be declining, possibly a function of
exposure to persistent environmental chemicals that resist degradation resulting in various …

Initiation of mouse embryonic development depends upon a series of fertilization-induced
rises in intracellular Ca2+. Complete egg activation requires influx of extracellular Ca2+; …