| Budget Amount *help |
¥17,290,000 (Direct Cost: ¥13,300,000、Indirect Cost: ¥3,990,000)
Fiscal Year 2024: ¥4,160,000 (Direct Cost: ¥3,200,000、Indirect Cost: ¥960,000)
Fiscal Year 2023: ¥3,900,000 (Direct Cost: ¥3,000,000、Indirect Cost: ¥900,000)
Fiscal Year 2022: ¥4,550,000 (Direct Cost: ¥3,500,000、Indirect Cost: ¥1,050,000)
Fiscal Year 2021: ¥4,680,000 (Direct Cost: ¥3,600,000、Indirect Cost: ¥1,080,000)
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| Outline of Final Research Achievements |
In this study, we aimed to elucidate the role of zinc ions in the mechanisms of fertilization and early embryonic development in mammals. To this end, we focused on the zinc transporter ZIP (Zrt/Irt-like Protein) and generated genetically modified mice. Our analyses revealed that female mice lacking the ZIP gene specifically in oocytes exhibited reduced fertility and a significantly decreased rate of embryo development following in vitro fertilization. Furthermore, Zip-deficient oocytes showed lower intracellular zinc levels and impaired zinc spark activity at the time of fertilization. These findings provide the first evidence that loss of the Zip gene leads to a reduction in intra-oocyte zinc concentration, thereby highlighting its essential role in female reproductive function.
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