Cytochalasin B-induced triploidy in mouse oocytes fertilized in vitro.

Mouse eggs and spermatozoa were treated in various ways with 5 or 10 mug cytochalasin B/ml. The fertilization rate in vitro was reduced by treatment with the drug but 80-90% of the eggs fertilized were triploid. Many of the experimental eggs were penetrated by one or more spermatozoa but remained unfertilized (75% compared with 9% in control eggs). It is suggested that cytochalasin B weakens the zona reaction and interferes with fusion of gametes but does not prevent the block to polyspermy.