Fibronectin (Fn) is a major molecular glycoprotein that is known to play an important role in many systems involved in cell-to-cell interation and cell-to-matrix adhesion. We initially studied the effect of Fn on the fertilization capacity of human spermatozoa with a penetration test in vitro. Following co-incubation of Fn in a heterologous system (human spermatozoa and zona-free golden hamster oocytes ), we have noted a significant decrease in the rate of sperm penetration into oolemma at 2.8 μg Fn/ml,and a complete inhibition of fertilization at 15 μg Fn/ml. Besides, we noted a specific increase in the penetration rate during the co incubation of anti-Fn-serum in a heterologous system. These results suggest that extrinsic Fn binds with the Fn-receptor in the oolemma, thereby, competitively inhibiting fertilization.
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