A review: phospholipase C zeta (PLCζ) impacts fertilization and improves human-assisted reproductive technology

Abstract

The change of concentration of intracellular Ca²⁺ oscillations leads to oocyte activation and preparation for early embryogenesis. Phospholipase C zeta (PLCζ) plays an important role in fertilization. Clinical reports have suggested a link between defective PLCζ and male infertility. In particular, oocyte activation deficiency (OAD) was mentioned as the cause of failure in many cases of infertility treated with intracytoplasmic sperm injection (ICSI). Some results about advances in research and clinical applications were reviewed in this article including: PLCζ - Sperm oocyte activating factor, the structure of PLCζ, localization of PLCζ in sperm, defective PLCζ and relation to male infertility, and clinical applications of PLCζ in treatment and improvement of human insemination procedures. At the same time, the authors summarised and analysed research results and applications to support infertility treatment on the basis of sperm improvement through PLCζ - sperm factor. Finally, the auhors discussed the direction of using these scientific bases to help embryologists, clinicians, and researchers improve the embryogenesis process to bring the best results for patients, especially in the case of rare embryos.