This study however has raised some new questions. The difference in fertilization capacities between wild type and Izumo +/- type was not clearly discussed. Also, the fact that ICSI of izumo -/- produces twice as many litters as did the izumo +/- type implicates the possible role of other proteins, the expression of which is affected by the allele. That is to say that the mutant knockout sperm might have up-regulated or down regulated the expression of this unknown protein which may have aided the fertilization process as indicated by the statistics. [Katie Winter] contraceptive vaccine targeting the sperm is very much in prospect but much work is yet to be accomplished. A CD46 gene knockout as tried by the author in an earlier study did not result in defective sperm egg fusion. [Inoue et.al 2003] Similarly, ADAM1, ADAM2, ADAM3 gene knockout did not result in fusion defects but only exhibited problems in sperm zona binding. [Cho et, al 1998] a recent development of an immuno-contraceptive antigen for mice proved to be unsuccessful in spite of its success in vitro. [Wang et.al, 2008]
Conclusion
The process of fertilization is an intriguing one involving very many factors that leaves us awe in wonder at the complex molecular mechanisms involved in the formation of the embryo. Fertilization involves a variety of stages and every stage is important for the successful formation of the embryo. The discovery of the role of the izumo protein in the process of fertilization is therefore a remarkable breakthrough in our understanding of reproductive biology. This new discovery has opened new vistas for scientific research in the research on safe and cheaper contraceptives as well as providing a whole new dimension in our understanding of male infertility problems. Also, other results from the study such as the considerable variations in fertilization rates among izumo -/- and izumo +/- type sperms in the ICSI experiment...
Our semester plans gives you unlimited, unrestricted access to our entire library of resources —writing tools, guides, example essays, tutorials, class notes, and more.
Get Started Now