ionomycin calcium

Ionomycin calcium is a narrow-spectrum polyether antibiotic isolated from *Streptomyces conglobatus* that acts as a potent and selective calcium ionophore. It binds divalent cations, particularly calcium ($Ca^{2+}$), with high specificity and transports them across biological membranes, thereby increasing intracellular calcium levels. In laboratory research, it is widely used as a tool to study calcium transport, calibrate fluorescent calcium indicators, and stimulate T-cell activation (often in combination with phorbol 12-myristate 13-acetate). In clinical and reproductive medicine, ionomycin calcium is utilized in artificial oocyte activation (AOA) protocols during intracytoplasmic sperm injection (ICSI) to improve fertilization rates and embryo quality in patients experiencing fertilization failure or severe male factor infertility.

Other names

calcium ionomycinionomycin calcium saltionomycin, calcium salt