Fertilization is a highly specialized interaction between gametes that culminates in the formation of the zygote and development of a new individual of the species. The sperm-egg interactions in mammals consist of a series of specialized and regulated events that initially involve egg-induced activation of the spermatozoon and ultimately result in the sperm-induced activation of the egg. Sperm motility, metabolism, capacitation and the acrosome reaction are modulated by factors associated with the egg, its acellular or cellular investments, or fluids bathing both the male and female reproductive tracts. Sperm and zona pellucida proteins participate in the highly specialized interaction between gametes.

The group has focused on studying the molecular mechanisms of fertilization since 1990. The role of cell surface, acrosomal and seminal proteins of mammalian spermatozoa during capacitation, acrosome reaction and binding of the sperm to the glycoprotein network of oocyte´s zona pellucida are being studied. Furthermore, the unique regulation of protein tyrosine phoshorylation of mammalian sperm proteins during capacitation and the identification and localization of these proteins and activators in mammalian spermatozoa together with their connection to the cytoskeleton and motility of sperm are also examined. Another interesting biomodel for studying the fertilization strategy is the fish model (chondrostean and teleostean fish).

Recent studies indicate that more than 15% of population suffers from infertility-related problems so that the knowledge of the mechanisms of fertilization is crucial for the Centers of assisted reproduction, where 2% of children are now born, and about 7% will be born prospectively. Our laboratory deals with molecular mechanisms of fertilization, namely with the nature of sperm proteins playing a role in fertilization. Within the last 10 years we discovered a number of entirely new proteins that are fundamental for sperm/oocyte binding and we developed molecular tools for their study, so-called monoclonal antibodies. Many of these are also used in the Centers of assisted reproductions and are successfully commercialized.

The decreasing quality of human environment has a negative influence on animals, including human. Our new three projects "Centre of Molecular Methods for Monitoring the Diffuse Pollution of the Environment", "National Programme VII " and "EUREKA" will be directed to the new systems for the monitoring of diffuse environmental pollution. Diffuse pollution means long-term contamination of the environment by very low concentrations of pollutants, residues of a variety of anthropogenic activities, together with a demonstrably negative influence on health and reproduction of mammals. The central focus is mainly on substances with endocrine activity such as hormonal contraceptives, certain medications including antibiotics and different polybrominated compounds. The monitoring system will be based on the determined impact of selected pollutants on mammalian organisms in vivo (reproductive organs, gametes and reproduction) as well as on cells in vitro (toxicity, viability and function).