This is for a book project - please answer in as much biochemical
details as possible:

In human embryogenesis once the ovum fuses with a single sperm cell,
its cell membrane changes, preventing fusion with other sperm. How
does this happen chemically? I am looking for a chemically accurate
and detailed descirption of the process. Information on the complete
process starting from sperm-egg attarction/intercation and ending with
Mitosis over Meiosis will earn extra points.

Thanks,

Stefan

After the first sperm passes through the zona pellucida of the ovum,
the glycoprotein structure of the zona pellucida is altered, a
reaction that is catalyzed by proteases released from cortical
granules. This is known as the cortical reaction.


Search terms:
sperm ovum fusion cell membrane zona cortical reaction polyspermy cortical

See:
http://72.14.253.104/search?q=cache:yg-HtU9oQAUJ:www.siu.edu/~tw3a/431fert.htm+sperm+ovum+fusion+cell+membrane+zona+reaction+polyspermy&hl=en&gl=us&ct=clnk&cd=1
http://humupd.oxfordjournals.org/cgi/content/abstract/2/1/29
http://ijr.sagepub.com/cgi/content/abstract/24/2-3/211
http://www.answers.com/topic/cortical-reaction
http://www.uwyo.edu/wjm/repro/fert.htm
http://www.ibscrewed.net/resource/notes/hlbio11.html
http://www.annalsnyas.org/cgi/content/abstract/541/1/621

Dynasty