TIME COURSE OF EVENTS IN XENOPUS FERTILIZATION

Times can vary due to individual animals, solutions, sperm concentrations and temperature.  From our data and JC Gerhart (1980; pages 133-316; in "Biological Regulation and Development," vol II; Plenum Press, NY; Goldberger RF, editor)

Sperm and egg contact: time zero

Calcium wave and cortical granule breakdown (exocytosis) ~starts at 3-4 min after insemination (lasting 3 min)

Gravitational rotation: ~10 min after insemination (all times below are "after insemination")

Cortical contraction (pigment moves toward animal pole--not cortical rotation; contraction is transient): ~10-20  min

Second polar body extrusion: ~20-25 min

DNA synthesis (S phase): ~27 min

Cortical Rotation produces Grey Crescent (latter is very hard to see):  ~46-60 min

Pronuclei contact each other:  ~49 min

Mitosis: 75 (takes about ~15 min)

Cleavage: ~100 min