| Abstract: | The effects of the inhibition of steroidogenesis by trilostane on oocyte maturation were examined by studying spontaneous maturation and fertilization in vitro. 10(-6)M trilostane had no influence on the meiotic process, whether the oocytes were naked or not. At a concentration of 10(-6)M and 10(-7)M trilostane, low normal pronuclear formation and high polyspermy were found during in vitro fertilization. However, no retarded male pronuclear development could be detected in the trilostane-treated group. Thus, steroid producing activity within ova is apparently necessary to prevent multiple sperm penetration, but it has no effect on meiosis or the action of the so-called male pronucleus growth factor (MPGF). |
