Localization of fucosyl glycoconjugates in human oocytes following insemination for in vitro fertilization.

Human oocytes that failed to cleave after insemination were examined for the presence of fucosyl glycoconjugates in the perivitelline space by staining with Ulex europeaus lectin conjugated to fluorescein isothiocynate. Oocytes that formed two or three pronuclei following first insemination always exhibited positive lectin staining similar to that observed with in vitro fertilized mouse oocytes. Among those oocytes that failed to form any pronuclei after the first insemination attempt, only 5% contained lectin positive substances in the perivitelline space. Upon reinsemination, a higher percentage of those oocytes produced lectin-positive materials, although pronuclei were still absent. The appearance of fucosyl glycoconjugates in these oocytes might be the result of the release of cortical granules triggered by sperm penetration or, more likely, due to spontaneous granule discharge in senescent oocytes.