ABSTRACT
The zona pellucida (ZP) of mammalian eggs and embryos is an acellular matrix composed of sulfated glycoproteins with different roles during fertilization and embryo development.1
Three distinct glycoproteins have been described both in mice and in humans (ZP1, ZP2 and ZP3).2
Acrosome-reacted spermatozoa bind to ZP receptors, and biochemical changes have been observed after fertilization3 responsible for the prevention of polyspermic fertilization.
