摘要：SummaryTemporal fluctuations in zinc concentration are essential signals, including during oogenesis and early embryogenesis. In mammals, zinc accumulation and release are required for oocyte maturation and egg activation, respectively. Here, we demonstrate that zinc flux occurs inDrosophilaoocytes and activated eggs, and that zinc is required for female fertility. Our synchrotron-based X-ray fluorescence microscopy reveals zinc as the most abundant transition metal inDrosophilaoocytes. Its levels increase during oocyte maturation, accompanied by the appearance of zinc-enriched intracellular granules in the oocyte, which depend on transporters. Subsequently, in egg activation, which mediates the transition from oocyte to embryo, oocyte zinc levels decrease significantly, as does the number of zinc-enriched granules. This pattern of zinc dynamics inDrosophilaoocytes follows a similar trajectory to that in mammals, extending the parallels in female gamete processes betweenDrosophilaand mammals and establishingDrosophilaas a model for dissecting reproductive roles of zinc.Graphical AbstractDisplay OmittedHighlights•Dietary zinc is required forDrosophilafemale fertility•Oocyte zinc levels increase over oogenesis and decrease during egg activation•Zinc is enriched in the oocyte and forms aggregated granules in mature oocytes•Transporters are required for zinc retention and zinc-enriched granules in oocytesEvolutionary Developmental Biology; Biotechnology; Embryology
