The Effect of Heparin on Cell Division.

Abstract

When Chaeropterus eggs are placed in dilute heparin solns. and are inseminated with spermatozoa they do not cleave. This is in large part due to inhibition of fertilization by heparin, but heparin also seems to prevent cleavage even after the spermatozoon has entered the egg. The effect is somewhat reversible hence not due to a killing action. Heparin seems to prevent mitotic gelation in these eggs. It can also prevent cell division in the frog egg.