Skip to main content

Abstract

Since the study of guinea pig fertilization and early development began over 137 years ago (see references cited by Hunter et al., 1969), the guinea pig has been an important experimental animal for investigators trying to understand mechanisms of sperm—egg interaction that lead to fertilization. The purpose of this review is not to provide an exhaustive treatise on the subject. Rather, advantages and disadvantages of the guinea pig system are discussed with particular reference to specific areas of research that have received considerable attention. In addition, prospective areas for future investigations are highlighted.

This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.

Access this chapter

Chapter
USD 29.95
Price excludes VAT (USA)
  • Available as PDF
  • Read on any device
  • Instant download
  • Own it forever
eBook
USD 169.00
Price excludes VAT (USA)
  • Available as PDF
  • Read on any device
  • Instant download
  • Own it forever
Softcover Book
USD 219.00
Price excludes VAT (USA)
  • Compact, lightweight edition
  • Dispatched in 3 to 5 business days
  • Free shipping worldwide - see info
Hardcover Book
USD 219.99
Price excludes VAT (USA)
  • Durable hardcover edition
  • Dispatched in 3 to 5 business days
  • Free shipping worldwide - see info

Tax calculation will be finalised at checkout

Purchases are for personal use only

Institutional subscriptions

Preview

Unable to display preview. Download preview PDF.

Unable to display preview. Download preview PDF.

References

  • Anakwe, O. O., Sharma, S., Hoff, H. B., Hardy, D. M., and Gerton, G. L., 1991, Maturation of guinea pig sperm in the epididymis involves the modification of proacrosin oligosaccharide side-chains, Molec. Reprod. Dev. 29: 294–301.

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Aonuma, S., Mayumi, T., Suzuki, K., Noguchi, T., Iwai, M., and Okabe, M., 1973, Studies on sperm capacitation. I. The relationship between guinea pig sperm coating antigen and a sperm capacitation phenomenon, J. Reprod. Fertil. 35: 425–432.

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Arboleda, C. E., and Gerton, G. L., 1988, Proacrosin/acrosin during guinea pig spermatogenesis, Dev. Biol. 125: 217–225.

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Austin, C. R., 1961, Fertilization of eggs in vitro, Int. Rev. Cytol. 12: 337–359.

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Bhattacharyya, A., and Yanagimachi, R., 1988, Synthetic organic pH buffers can support fertilization of guinea pig eggs, but not as efficiently as bicarbonate buffer, Gamete Res. 19: 123–129.

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Blaquier, J. A., Cameo, M. S., and Burgos, M. H., 1972, The role of androgens in the maturation of epididymal spermatozoa in the guinea pig, Endocrinology 90: 839–842.

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Bleil, J. D., and Wassarman, P M., 1986, Autoradiographic visualization of the mouse egg’s sperm receptor bound to sperm, J. Cell Biol. 102: 1363–1371.

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Coronel, C. E., San Augustin, J., and Lardy, H. A., 1988, Identification and partial characterization of caltrin-like proteins in the reproductive tract of the guinea pig, Biol. Reprod. 38: 713–722.

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Dyson, A. L. M. B., and Orgebin-Crist, M.-C., 1973, Effect of hypophysectomy, castration and androgen replacement upon the fertilizing ability of rat epididymal spermatozoa, Endocrinology 93: 391–402.

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Fawcett, D. W, and Hollenberg, R. D., 1963, Changes in the acrosome of guinea pig spermatozoa during passage through the epididymis, Z. Zellforsch. 60: 276–292.

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Flaherty, S. P, and Olson, G. E., 1988, Membrane domains in guinea pig sperm and their role in the membrane fusion events of the acrosome reaction, Anat. Rec. 220: 267–280.

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Fleming, A. D., and Armstrong, D. T., 1985, Effects of polyamines upon capacitation and fertilization in the guinea pig, J. Exp. Zool. 233: 93–100.

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Fleming, A. D., and Kuehl, T. J., 1985, Effects of temperature upon capacitation of guinea pig spermatozoa, J. Exp. Zool. 233: 405–411.

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Fleming, A. D., and Yanagimachi, R., 1984, Evidence suggesting the importance of fatty acids and the fatty acid moieties of sperm membrane phospholipids in the acrosome reaction of guinea pig spermatozoa, J. Exp. Zool. 229: 485–489.

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Friend, D. S., 1982, Plasma-membrane diversity in a highly polarized cell, J. Cell Biol. 93: 243–249.

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Friend, D. S., Orci, L., Perrelet, A., and Yanagimachi, R., 1977, Membrane particle changes attending the acrosome reaction in guinea pig spermatozoa, J. Cell Biol. 74: 561–577.

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Green, D. P. L., 1978, The induction of the acrosome reaction in guinea-pig sperm by the divalent metal cation ionophore A23187, J. Cell Sci. 32: 137–151.

    PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Horan, A. H., and Bedford, J. M., 1972, Development of the fertilizing ability of spermatozoa in the epididymis of the Syrian hamster, J. Reprod. Fertil. 30: 417–423.

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Huang, T. T. F., and Yanagimachi, Y., 1984, Fucoidin inhibits attachment of guinea pig spermatozoa to the zona pellucida through binding to the inner acrosomal membrane and equatorial domains, Exp. Cell Res. 153: 363–373.

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Huang, T. T. E, Fleming, A. D., and Yanagimachi, Y., 1981, Only acrosome-reacted spermatozoa can bind and penetrate into zona pellucida: A study using guinea pig, J. Exp. Zool. 217: 286–290.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Huang, T. T. E, Ohzu, E., and Yanagimachi, Y., 1982, Evidence suggesting that L-fucose is part of a recognition signal for sperm—zona pellucida attachment in mammals, Gamete Res. 5: 355–361.

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Huang, T. T. F., Hardy, D., Yanagimachi, H., Teuscher, C., Ring, K., Wild, G., and Yanagimachi, R., 1985, pH and protease control of acrosomal content stasis and release during the guinea pig sperm acrosome reaction, Biol. Reprod. 32: 451–462.

    Google Scholar 

  • Hunter, R. H. E, Hunt, D. M., and Chang, M. C., 1969, Temporal and cytological aspects of fertilization and early development in the guinea pig, Cavia porcellus, Anat. Rec. 165: 411–430.

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Hyne, R. V, 1984, Bicarbonate and calcium-dependent induction of rapid guinea pig sperm acrosome reactions by monovalent ionophores, Biol. Reprod. 31: 312–323.

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Hyne, R. V., and Garbers, D. L., 1979, Calcium-dependent increase in adenosine 3’,5’-monophosphate and induction of the acrosome reaction in guinea pig spermatozoa, Proc. Natl. Acad. Sci. USA 76: 5699–5703.

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Hyne, R. V., and Garbers, D. L., 1981, Requirement of serum factors for capacitation and the acrosome reaction of guinea pig spermatozoa in buffered medium below pH 7.8, Biol. Reprod. 24: 257–266.

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Jagiello, G. M., 1969, Some cytologic aspects of meiosis in female guinea pig, Chromosoma 27: 95–101.

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Joyce, C. L., Nuzzo, N. A., Wilson, L., Jr., and Zaneveld, L. J. D., 1987, Evidence for a role of cyclooxygenase (prostaglandin synthetase) and prostaglandins in the sperm acrosome reaction, J. Androl. 8: 74–82.

    PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Lawson, D., Fewtrell, C., and Raff, M., 1978, Localized mast cell degranulation induced by concanavalin Asepharose beads: Implications for the Cat+ hypothesis of stimulus—secretion coupling, J. Cell Biol. 79: 394–400.

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Loeb, L., 1911, The cyclic changes in the ovary of the guinea pig, J. Morphol. 22: 39–70.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Loeb, L., 1914, The correlation between the cyclic changes in the uterus and ovaries in the guinea pig, Biol. Bull. 27: 1–44.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Loeb, L., 1918, Corpus luteum and the periodicity in the sexual cycle, Science 48: 273–277.

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Myles, D. G., and Primakoff, P, 1984, Localized surface antigens of guinea pig sperm migrate to new regions prior to fertilization, J. Cell Biol. 99: 1634–1641.

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Myles, D. G., Primakoff, P., and Bellvé, A. R., 1981, Surface domains of the guinea pig sperm defined with monoclonal antibodies, Cell 23: 433–439.

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Myles, D. G., Primakoff, P, and Koppel, D. E., 1984, A localized surface protein of guinea pig sperm exhibits free diffusion in its domain, J. Cell Biol. 98: 1905–1908.

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Myles, D. G., Hyatt, H., and Primakoff, P, 1987, Binding of both acrosome-intact and acrosome-reacted guinea pig sperm to the zona pellucida during in vitro fertilization, Dev. Biol. 121: 559–567.

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Nagae, T., and Srivastava, P. N., 1986, Induction of the acrosome reaction in guinea pig spermatozoa by calmodulin antagonist W-7, Gamete Res. 14: 197–208.

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Noland, T. D., Davis, L. S., and Olson, G. E., 1989, Regulation of proacrosin conversion in isolated guinea pig sperm acrosomal apical segments, J. Biol. Chem. 264: 13586–13590.

    PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Olson, G. E., Winfrey, V. P., Winer, M. A., and Davenport, G. R., 1987, Outer acrosomal membrane of guinea pig spermatozoa: Isolation and structural characterization, Gamete Res. 17: 77–94.

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Perreault, S. D., Zirkin, B. R., and Rogers, B. J., 1982, Effect of trypsin inhibitors on acrosome of guinea pig spermatozoa, Biol. Reprod. 26: 343–351.

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Phelps, B. M., and Myles, D. G., 1987, The guinea pig sperm plasma membrane protein, PH-20, reaches the surface via two transport pathways and becomes localized to a domain after an initial uniform distribution, Dev. Biol. 123: 63–72.

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Phelps, B. M., Primakoff, P. M., Koppel, D. E., Low, M. G., and Myles, D. G., 1988, Restricted lateral diffusion of PH-20, a PI-anchored sperm membrane protein, Science 240: 1780–1782.

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Primakoff, P., and Myles, D. G., 1983, A map of the guinea pig sperm surface constructed with monoclonal antibodies, Dev. Biol. 98: 417–428.

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Primakoff, P., Myles, D. G., and Bellvé, A. R., 1980, Biochemical analysis of the released products of the mammalian acrosome reaction, Dev. Biol. 80: 324–331.

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Primakoff, P., Hyatt, H., and Myles, D. G., 1985, A role for the migrating sperm surface antigen PH-20 in guinea pig sperm binding to the egg zona pellucida, J. Cell Biol. 101: 2239–2244.

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Primakoff, P, Hyatt, H., and Tredick-Kline, J., 1987, Identification and purification of a sperm surface protein with a potential role in sperm–egg membrane fusion, J. Cell Biol. 104: 141–149.

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Primakoff, E, Lathrop, W., Woolman, L., Cowan, A., and Myles, D., 1988, Fully effective contraception in male and female guinea pigs immunized with the sperm protein PH-20, Nature 335: 543–546.

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Schenk, S. L., 1878, Das Sangethierei kunstlich befruchtet ausserhalb des Mutter thieves, Mitt. Embryol. Inst. K.K. Univ. Wien 1: 107–118.

    Google Scholar 

  • Schwarz, M. A., and Koehler, J. K., 1979, Alterations in lectin binding to guinea pig spermatozoa accompanying in vitro capacitation and the acrosome reaction, Biol. Reprod. 21: 1295–1307.

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Sharon, N., 1975, Complex Carbohydrates, Addison-Wesley, Reading, MA, pp. 155–166.

    Google Scholar 

  • Shi, Q. X., and Friend, D. S., 1985, Effect of gossypol acetate on guinea pig epididymal spermatozoa in vivo and their susceptibility to capacitation in vitro, J. Androl. 6: 45–62.

    PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Singh, J. P., Babcock, D. E, and Lardy, H. F., 1978, Increased calcium ion influx is a component of capacitation of spermatozoa, Biochem. J. 172: 549–556.

    PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Srivastava, P. N., Kumar, V. M., and Arbtan, K. D., 1988, Neuraminidase induces capacitation and acrosome reaction in mammalian spermatozoa, J. Exp. Zool. 245: 106–110.

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Stigler, R., 1918, Der Einfluss des Nebenhodens auf die Vitalität der Spermatozoen, Pflügler’s Arch. 171: 273–282.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Stockard, C. R., and Papacinolaou, G., 1917, The existence of a typical oestrous cycle in the guinea pig—with a study of its histological and physiological changes, Am. J. Anat. 22: 225–265.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Stockard, C. R., and Papacinolaou, G., 1919, The vaginal closure membrane, copulation, and the vaginal plug in the guinea-pig, with further considerations of the oestrous rhythym, Biol. Bull. 37: 222–245.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Stojanoff, A., Bourne, H., Andrews, A. G., and Hyne, R. V, 1987, Isolation of a stable apical segment of the guinea pig sperm acrosome, Gamete Res. 17: 321–332.

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Summers, R. G., Talbot, P., Keough, E. M., Hylander, B. L., and Franklin, L. E., 1976, Ionophore A23187 induces acrosome reactions in sea urchin and guinea pig spermatozoa, J. Exp. Zool. 196: 381–385.

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Talbot, P, and Franklin, L. E., 1978, Surface modifications of guinea pig sperm during in vitro capacitation: An assessment using lectin-induced agglutination of living sperm, J. Exp. Zool. 203: 1–14.

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Wilson, W L., and Oliphant, G., 1987, Isolation and biochemical characterization of the subunits of the rabbit sperm acrosome stabilizing factor, Biol. Reprod. 37: 159–169.

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Yanagimachi, R., 1972, Fertilization of guinea pig eggs in vitro, Anat. Rec. 174: 9–20.

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Yanagimachi, R., 1974, Maturation and fertilization in vitro of guinea pig ovarian oocytes,. 1. Reprod. Fertil. 38: 485–488.

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Yanagimachi, R., and Usui, N., 1974, Calcium dependence of the acrosome reaction and activation of guinea pig spermatozoa, Exp. Cell Res. 89: 161–174.

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Young, W. C., 1927, The influence of high temperature on the guinea-pig testis: Histological changes and effects on reproduction, J. Exp. Zool. 49: 459–499.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Young, W. C., 1929a, A study of the function of the epididymis. I. Is the attainment of full spermatozoon maturity attributable to some specific action of the epididymal secretion? J. Morphol. Physiol. 47: 479–495.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Young, W. C., 1929b, A study of the function of the epididymis. II. The importance of an aging process in sperm for the length of the period during which fertilizing capacity is retained by sperm isolated in the epididymis of the guinea-pig, J. Morphol. Physiol. 48: 475–491.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Young, W. C., 1931, A study of the function of the epididymis. III. Functional changes undergone by spermatozoa during their passage through the epididymis and vas deferens in the guinea-pig, J. Expo. Biol. 8: 151–162.

    Google Scholar 

Download references

Author information

Authors and Affiliations

Authors

Editor information

Editors and Affiliations

Rights and permissions

Reprints and permissions

Copyright information

© 1991 Springer Science+Business Media New York

About this chapter

Cite this chapter

Gerton, G.L. (1991). Fertilization in the Guinea Pig. In: Dunbar, B.S., O’Rand, M.G. (eds) A Comparative Overview of Mammalian Fertilization. Springer, Boston, MA. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-1-4757-8982-9_13

Download citation

  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/978-1-4757-8982-9_13

  • Publisher Name: Springer, Boston, MA

  • Print ISBN: 978-1-4757-8984-3

  • Online ISBN: 978-1-4757-8982-9

  • eBook Packages: Springer Book Archive

Publish with us

Policies and ethics