Effects of wheat germ agglutinin on fertilization of mouse ova in vivo and in vitro.

Mouse ova with or without follicular cells (denuded) were treated with wheat germ agglutinin (WGA) in concentrations ranging from 5-500 mug/ml and fertilized in vitro. Ova subjected to concentrations greater than 10 mug/ml WGA were incapable of fertilization in vitro, although sperm were observed adhering to the zona pellucida after treatment in concentrations as high as 500 mug/ml WGA. At concentrations of 50 mug/ml or higher, WGA adversely affected the shape of the vitellus. Of various saccharides employed to block the effects of WGA D-glucose was the most effective. Injections of 0.03 ml of 100 mug/ml WGA into the ovarian bursa two to three hours before the expected time of ovulation had little or no effect on fertilization in vivo.