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Turkish Journal of Biology

Abstract

The apparent change in the egg membrane potential at fertilization gives rise to fertilization potential (FP) . FP is the initial, transient electrical block to polyspermy as shown in most species especially those exhibiting external fertilization, and it protects the egg from a second sperm entry until the permanent, mechanical block is set up. Polyspermy is lethal in most species, and for a successful fertilization resting membrane potential (RMP) and FP of the egg have to be held in optimum ranges. Shifts in environmental pH may interfere with a successful fertilization by affecting these bioelectrical potentials. In the present study, we investigated how pH alterations affected the RMP and FP parameters of the egg in the frog, Rana cameranoi. Egg membrane potentials were recorded by the conventional microelectrode technique. RMP and FP parameters were evaluated. Ten percent Ringer solution (pH=7.80) was used for the control group. Acidic (Acd) and alkaline (Alk) experimental groups were kept in the Ringer solutions at pH 6.50 and 9.00, respectively. RMP was found to be significantly more negative in the Acd group (p

DOI

-

Keywords

Resting membrane potential, fertilization potential, pH, frog egg.

First Page

725

Last Page

736

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