Fertilization in mammals.


  • The sperm migrates through the coat of follicle cells.
  • The acrosome releases enzymes to digest the zona pellucida.
  • The plasma membranes of the two gametes fuse, allowing the whole sperm to enter the egg.
  • The egg releases enzymes from cortical granules to harden the zona pellucida, which functions as a block to polyspermy.