Fertilin beta peptides inhibit sperm binding to zona-free eggs in a homologous baboon in vitro fertilization system

This study developed a baboon in vitro fertilization system that can be use d in testing defined gamete antigens for fertility effects. A laparoscopic procedure that proved very valuable in retrieving eggs from female baboons for in vitro studies was developed. On average, 30 +/- 5 (SD) eggs were har vested per female baboon per cycle. Micromolar quantities of hexapeptides or a 28 aa residue peptide, all corre sponding to fertilin beta disintegrin domain, competitively inhibited the b inding of zona-free baboon eggs by baboon sperm in vitro. This study demons trated that fertilin beta has a required role in baboon fertilization. (C) 1999 Elsevier Science Inc. All rights reserved.