Evidence of elastic to plastic transition in the zona pellucida of oocytes using atomic force spectroscopy

We have investigated the mechanical properties of the zona pellucida ZP, a multilayer glycoprotein coat that surrounds mammalian eggs, using atomic force spectroscopy. The response of the membrane to mechanical stress has been reconstructed using a modified Hertz model. The transition from elastic behavior, which occurs when low stress forces are applied characterized by a Young’s modulus E=225 kPa, toward plastic behavior is observed. The critical indentation necessary to induce plastic deformations occurs at yield=55050 nm. This high critical value, corresponding to two ZP layers, well supports the noncovalent long lifetimes of interactions that take place between constituent glycoproteins.