Ann M. Leed Graduate Student (M.S. Program) Major Professor: Trish Berger Phone: (916)752-7544 Fax: (916)752-0175 E-mail: amleed@ucdavis.edu

Education

B.S. : Animal Science, Iowa State University, Ames, Iowa, 2004.
M.S.: Animal Science, University of California-Davis, Davis California (In-progress, Summer 2006).

Project: 

Title: Localization of Four Putative Porcine Oocyte Receptors for Sperm

Description: Fertilization rates in livestock, especially sows, are a huge and growing concern in the livestock industry. Fertilization rates are a direct indicator of overall conception rate in production livestock. Thus, by further understanding the direct mechanisms involved in fertilization, one will be able to offer assistance in improving fertilization rates. One aspect of the direct mechanisms involved in fertilization is oocyte plasma membrane receptors. It has been hypothesized that during the fusion of the sperm and oocyte, a variety of receptors found on plasma membrane of the oocyte play an important role in fertilization. These receptors on the plasma membrane bind to the ligands located on the sperm plasma membrane and serve in binding the sperm plasma membrane to the oocyte plasma membrane. This binding aids in transferring the sperm’s nucleus to the oocyte, allowing for fertilization to occur. Thus, by understanding the exact role that binding receptors on porcine oocyte plasma membrane play in fertilization, the ability to determine oocyte quality will be enhanced. The overall goal of the project is to identify each plasma membrane receptor and determine its location in sperm-oocyte binding and fertilization. More specifically, the location of the four putative oocyte plasma membrane receptors is evaluated by treating the oocytes with antibodies for the proteins of the receptor. These oocytes are then evaluated under the confocal microscope to determine the location of the receptor and if actual binding occurred. Also, in-vitro fertilization is conducted to determine the role that each individual receptor plays in gamete formation.