The spark of life.

Journal article

The sperm activates the egg to begin developing into an embryo by triggering a wave of intracellular calcium release, which sweeps across the egg like a forest fire. The identity of the signaling molecules that mediate this fundamental event has remained a mystery until recently. Now, new information emerging from the genome projects has made it possible to isolate and characterize the proteins responsible.

Authors: Parrington, J; Coward, K

• Journal: Biologist (London, England)
• Volume: 50
• Issue: 1
• Pages: 5-10
• Publication date: 2003-02-01
• ISSN: 0006-3347
• Language: English
• Keywords: Sperm-Ovum Interactions; Animals; Fertilization; Fertilization in Vitro; Calcium Signaling; Humans; Ovum; Spermatozoa; Male; Parthenogenesis; Female