Which enzyme is secreted by a sperm which helps in its penetration into the ovum?

Which enzyme is secreted by a sperm which helps in its penetration into the ovum? Correct Answer Hyaluronidase

Concept:-

• Sperm: it is a male reproductive cell. Each day about 300 million sperm complete spermatogenesis. The human sperm cell is about 70 µm long.
• The nucleus in the head – contains the 23 chromosomes.
• It is the head that blinds to the egg at fertilization.

Ovum: it is a maternal haploid gamete and is primarily concerned with receiving the sperm and is determined to develop into a fully developed multicellular organism after fertilization or without fertilization.

Explanation:

• Hyaluronidase: it is a family of enzymes that degrade hyaluronic acid. It is found in human testes, in bacterial cultures as a by-product, or in the heads of leeches and snake venoms.
• Hyaluronidase enzyme break down the outer membrane of the ovum called zona pellucida.

Additional Information

• Glucocerebrosidase: is a normal component of cell membranes. As senescent cells are degraded, macrophages engulf the cellular debris as a part of routine cell turnover.
• Protease: enzymes involved in the degradation of proteins are called proteases or proteolytic enzymes.
• Amylase: amylases are starch degrading enzymes.