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At least 19 recordsLinked to original sources
PubMed1987

Autotransfer of Day 4 embryos from oviduct to oviduct versus oviduct to uterus in the mare.

Embryo autotransfer is defined as the collection of an embryo from and the transfer of this embryo into the same animal. The objectives of this study were to: 1) test the hypothesis that oviduct transport of the equine embryo from the oviduct into the uterus is not dependent on a unilateral embryo-corpus luteum interaction, 2) develop an embryo autotransfer technique for the mare and 3) compare the success rates of Day 4 embryos surgically autotransferred from the oviduct ipsilateral to ovulation to either the oviduct (n=10 mares) or the uterine horn (n=10 mares) contralateral to ovulation. Seventy percent (7 10 ) of the Day 4 embryos which were autotransferred to the oviduct contralateral to ovulation were transported through the oviduct and subsequently developed into embryonic vesicles detectable by ultrasonography between 10 and 21 days postovulation. This finding supported the hypothesis that oviductal embryo transport is not dependent upon the ipsilateral corpus luteum. Overall, sixty percent (12 20 ) of the autotransfers were successful. The success rate of uterine-transferred embryos was not significantly less (P>0.3) than that of oviductal-transferred embryos (5 10 vs 7 10 , respectively). Therefore, the Day 4 equine embryos were apparently mature enough to survive in the mare's uterus.

Journal Article↗
PubMed1996

The mammalian oviductal epithelium: regional variations in cytological and functional aspects of the oviductal secretory cells.

The secretory cells in the epithelium of mammalian oviducts produce and release various secretory materials into the lumen. Secretions from such cells provide a suitable environment for the events that occur in the oviductal lumen. This review focuses on the regional differentiation of the secretory cells in mammalian oviducts. Many histological studies have demonstrated regional variations in both the morphological and ultrastructural features of the secretory cells in the oviductal epithelium. Regional differences have been found, for example, in the number of putative secretory granules in the oviductal secretory cells. Histochemical and immunocytochemical studies have also revealed regional differences in the localization of various materials in the oviductal epithelium, suggesting the possibility of regional specificity in the production of various secretory materials by the oviductal epithelial cells. Recent biochemical and immunoelectron microscopical studies have shown that biosynthesis of specific proteins or glycoproteins is associated with region-specific variations in epithelial cells in different oviductal segments. In particular, certain oviduct-specific glycoproteins are produced by secretory cells in specific regions of the oviduct and these glycoproteins may affect fertilization, embryonic development, and sperm functions. The oviductal epithelial cell also provide physiological support to gametes and embryos. The interactions of oviductal epithelial cells with gametes support the development of embryos and the maintenance of sperm functions in vitro. Some studies using coculture systems have suggested regional differences associated with such physiological support by oviductal epithelial cells. Moreover, the expression of functional proteins, such as growth factors, show segmental variations within the oviduct. The regional variations demonstrated in these studies may reflect distinct functional differences among the various segments of the mammalian oviduct. The proposal is presented that despite the fact that the mammalian oviductal tissue is not very complex in terms of structure, the oviductal secretory cells may be highly differentiated along the length of the oviduct.

Animals↗
PubMed2005

Vascular endothelial growth factor system in the cow oviduct: a possible involvement in the regulation of oviductal motility and embryo transport.

Vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) is a potent angiogenic and permeability enhancing factor, which shows the highest activity in the oviduct during the periovulatory period of the estrous cycle in cattle. It has also been shown that the contraction activity of oviduct is highest during the periovulatory period. The present study therefore focused on the possible involvement of VEGF in the regulation of biosynthesis and secretion of contraction-relaxation-related substances in the cow oviduct. Possible autonomous VEGF system in the oviduct as well as its endocrine control was also studied. Bovine oviductal epithelial cells (BOEC) in the second passage were cultured with VEGF (1 ng/ml) alone or with luteinizing hormone (LH; 10 ng/ml), estradiol 17-beta (E2; 1 ng/ml), and/or progesterone (P4; 1 ng/ml). The levels of prostaglandins (PGs), endothelin-1 (ET-1), and angiotensin II (Ang II) in the medium were measured using second antibody enzymeimmunoassay (EIA). The mRNA expressions for cycloxygenase-2 (Cox-2), prostaglandin F synthase (PGFS), prostaglandin E synthase (PGES), prepro-ET-1, endothelin converting enzyme-1 (Ece-1), angiotensin converting enzyme-1 (Ace-1), VEGF and its receptors were investigated using real-time RT-PCR. The results indicate that, (1) VEGF dose-dependently stimulated the release of prostaglandin E2 (PGE2), prostaglandin F2alpha (PGF2alpha), and ET-1, but not Ang II. VEGF and VEGF with LH, E2, and P4 upregulated mRNA expression for biosynthesis cascade of PG, ET-1 as well as their release. However, only the combination of VEGF with LH, E2, and P4 upregulated mRNA for Ace-1 and Ang II release, but not VEGF alone. (2) Treatments of LH, with E2 and/or P4 increased the mRNA expression for VEGF, Flk-1 and Flt-1, and (3) VEGF itself downregulated the expression of mRNA for VEGF, and LH, E2, and P4 enhanced this downregulatory effect. The results of the present study provide the first evidence that (1) VEGF directly stimulates the biosynthesis and release of PGE2, PGF2alpha, and ET-1 in the bovine oviduct, (2) LH stimulates the oviductal VEGF system, and (3) VEGF downregulates the oviductal VEGF system and this downregulation was further intensified in the presence of LH. The data suggest that the preovulatory LH-surge, together with increasing E2 secretion from the Graffian follicle and basal P4 levels from the regressing corpus luteum (CL), upregulates the oviductal VEGF system, inducing the maximum oviductal production of contraction-relaxation-related substances for active oviduct contraction and rapid transport of gametes to the fertilization site. However, the oviductal VEGF elevation caused by the LH-surge, appears to downregulate the oviductal VEGF system immediately after ovulation thereby may contribute to suppress oviductal contraction to secure slow transport of the embryo to the uterus at the optimal time.

Animals↗
PubMed1995

The motor innervation of the oviducts and central generation of the oviductal contractions in two orthopteran species (Calliptamus sp. and Decticus albifrons)

The oviducts of the female Decticus albifrons (Orthoptera: Tettigonidae) are innervated by six bilaterally paired neurones, while those of the female Calliptamus sp. (Orthoptera: Catantopidae) are innervated by three bilaterally paired neurones, located in the seventh abdominal ganglion. Using intracellular recording and staining, five of the six oviductal neurones of D. albifrons and the three oviductal neurones of Calliptamus sp. were physiologically and morphologically identified. All three oviductal neurones of Calliptamus sp. have a motor function. In D. albifrons, however, there is evidence for motor function in only three of the five identified oviductal neurones that appear to participate in the generation of the oviductal contractions. The remaining two identified neurones of D. albifrons have a branching pattern similar to that of motor neurones, but their physiological characteristics, large overshooting soma action potentials (30­40 mV) with a long afterhyperpolarising phase, are similar to those of the oviductal unpaired median neurones, which are known to modulate the oviductal contractions. The oviductal muscle exhibits two different modes of contractions: (a) fast and slow myogenic contractions, the fast contractions being produced by spontaneous potentials (30­40 mV) generated by some oviductal muscle fibres; and (b) neurogenic contractions caused by the rhythmic spiking of the oviductal motor neurones. This motor pattern is produced by the oviductal central pattern generator, a neural network residing in the last two abdominal ganglia (seventh and terminal abdominal ganglia) of the species examined here. When isolated both anteriorly and posteriorly, the seventh abdominal ganglion generates rhythmic oviductal contractions of lower frequency and amplitude than those recorded when the connectives between the genital ganglia are intact. The oviductal pattern generator is activated through release from descending inhibition, which originates, in Calliptamus sp., from the compound metathoracic ganglion (fused metathoracic and first three abdominal neuromeres) and in, D. albifrons, from the first free abdominal ganglion (fused second and third abdominal neuromeres).

Journal Article↗
PubMed1998

Primary modulation by oestradiol of the production of an oviduct-specific glycoprotein by the epithelial cells in the oviduct of newborn golden hamsters.

The effects of steroid hormones (oestradiol and progesterone) on the appearance of a golden hamster oviduct-specific glycoprotein (GHOGP) in the epithelium of the oviduct of the newborn golden hamster were investigated by immunoblotting and immunohistochemical staining with a GHOGP-specific monoclonal antibody. Newborn golden hamsters (1.5 days old) were injected daily with oestradiol (1 microgram) or progesterone (10 microgram). An oviductal extract of oestradiol-treated golden hamsters for 4 days apparently immunoreacted with the monoclonal antibody on a broad band with a molecular mass of more than 200 kDa by immunoblotting under reducing conditions. This broad band was consistent with the migration of GHOGP in an extract of adult oviducts. Consecutive daily injections of oestradiol induced the appearance of GHOGP in undifferentiated epithelial cells of the oviduct of neonates. In oviducts of oestradiol-injected animals, GHOGP was first detected in the Golgi region and then increased in amount to fill the supranuclear cytoplasm of the epithelial cells. The inductive effect of oestradiol was dose-dependent. In contrast, consecutive daily injections of progesterone had no effect on the appearance of GHOGP in the oviductal epithelium. The effects of oestradiol and progesterone in organ culture of oviducts were examined in vitro, by culturing oviductal organs from 1.5-day-old newborn golden hamsters in chemically defined medium supplemented with oestradiol or progesterone for 2 days and then subjected to immunohistochemical staining. The immunoreaction was detected only in the epithelial cells of oestradiol-treated oviducts at concentrations of > 0.01 ng ml-1, but not in the cells of untreated and progesterone-treated oviducts. These results indicate that the production of GHOGP in the epithelial cells of the oviduct of newborn golden hamsters is induced by oestradiol both in vivo and in vitro. It is suggested that oestradiol may be involved in the synthesis of GHOGP in the oviduct during postnatal development of golden hamsters.

Animals↗
PubMed1979

Comparison of avidin induction in the differentiated and undifferentiated chick oviduct by progesterone, actinomycin D and oviductal injury.

Various oestrogen (diethylstilboestrol, DES) pre-treatments were carried out on chicks and the production of avidin in the oviduct was induced by progesterone, actinomycin D or oviductal injury. Avidin induction was dose-dependent at doses between 5 mg and 40 mg progesterone/kg or 50 micrograns and 300 micrograms actinomycin D/kg respectively. The induction by oviductal injury correlated with the magnitude of tissue injury. First signs of avidin induction were seen at 4 h after oviductal injury, 12 h after progesterone or 12--16h after actinomycin D administration. Actinomycin D (200 micrograms/kg), when administered after progesterone injection, did not increase avidin induction by progesterone, this indicating that avidin induction by actinomycin D is not a "superinduction" effect. Evidence is presented here that the mechanism of avidin induction by oviductal injury and actinomycin D differs from that by progesterone. The differentiation of the oviduct caused by DES treatment was necessary for the induction by progesterone, whereas actinomycin D and oviductal injury also induced avidin in the undifferentiated or poorly differentiated oviduct. Simultaneous DES stimulation potentiated induction by progesterone but not by actinomycin D or oviductal injury. Furthermore, single prior DES stimulation increased avidin induction in the differentiated oviduct of DES-withdrawn chicks caused by progesterone but not that by actinomycin D or oviductal injury.

Animals↗
PubMedDate not supplied

Regulation of IGF-I and porcine oviductal secretory protein (pOSP) secretion into the pig oviduct in the peri-ovulatory period, and effects of previous nutrition.

The mechanisms regulating oviduct function were investigated. In Experiment 1, porcine oviductal secretory protein (pOSP) mRNA, and pOSP and insulin-like growth factor (IGF-I) in oviductal flushings, decreased through the peri-ovulatory period. In Experiment 2, higher plasma steroids in oviductal veins, ipsilateral (INT), rather than contralateral (OVX), to the remaining ovary in unilaterally ovariectomized gilts, were associated with higher pOSP in INT oviductal flushings. In Experiment 3, oviduct function was assessed as part of a collaborative study in cyclic gilts. Feed restriction in the late, compared to the early, luteal phase reduced estradiol concentrations in oviductal plasma, pOSP mRNA in oviductal tissue, and IGF-I concentrations and pOSP abundance in oviduct flushings. Previous insulin treatment differentially affected oviduct function. These data provide the first direct evidence for effects of previous feed restriction and insulin treatment on the oviduct environment in the peri-ovulatory period, which may contribute to nutritional effects on embryonic survival.

Animal Nutritional Physiological Phenomena↗
PubMed2001

Acceleration of oviductal transport of oocytes induced by estradiol in cycling rats is mediated by nongenomic stimulation of protein phosphorylation in the oviduct.

In order to explore nongenomic actions of estradiol (E2) and progesterone (P4) in the oviduct, we determined the effect of E2 and P4 on oviductal protein phosphorylation. Rats on Day 1 of the cycle (C1) or pregnancy (P1) were treated with E2, P4, or E2 + P4, and 0.5 h or 2.5 h later their oviducts were incubated in medium with 32P-orthophosphate for 2 h. Oviducts were homogenized and proteins were separated by SDS-PAGE. Following autoradiography, protein bands were quantitated by densitometry. The phosphorylation of some proteins was increased by hormonal treatments, exhibiting steroid specificity and different individual time courses. Possible mediation of the E2 effect by mRNA synthesis or protein kinases A (PK-A) or C (PK-C) was then examined. Rats on C1 treated with E2 also received an intrabursal (i.b.) injection of alpha-amanitin (Am), or the PK inhibitors H-89 or GF 109203X, and 0.5 h later their oviducts were incubated as above plus the corresponding inhibitors in the medium. Increased incorporation of 32P into total oviductal protein induced by E2 was unchanged by Am, whereas it was completely suppressed by PK inhibitors. Local administration of H-89 was utilized to determine whether or not E2-induced egg transport acceleration requires protein phosphorylation. Rats on C1 or P1 were treated with E2 s.c. and H-89 i.b. The number and distribution of eggs in the genital tract assessed 24 h later showed that H-89 blocked the E2-induced oviductal egg loss in cyclic rats and had no effect in mated rats. It is concluded that E2 and P4 change the pattern of oviductal protein phosphorylation. Estradiol increases oviductal protein phosphorylation in cyclic rats due to a nongenomic action mediated by PK-A and PK-C. In the absence of mating, this action is essential for its oviductal transport accelerating effect. Mating changes the mechanism of action of E2 in the oviduct by waiving this nongenomic action as a requirement for E2-induced embryo transport acceleration.

Amanitins↗
PubMed1981

Similarity of biotin-binding activity and immunoreactivity in chicken oviduct and non-oviduct avidin.

Biotin-binding and immunological methods were employed to demonstrate the similarity of oviduct and non-oviduct avidin in the chicken. Oviduct avidin was induced after oestrogen pretreatment by progesterone and non-oviduct avidin by intestinal tissue injury or by intraperitoneal actinomycin D administration. Avidin in the intestine, lung, bursa of Fabricius, plasma, pectoral muscle and liver after injury had biotin-binding activity similar to that of progesterone-induced oviduct avidin: (1) a temperature of 79-83 degree C was required for 50% of the maximum [14C]biotin uptake, (2) maximal exchange occurred only at 90 or 100 degree C and (3) denaturation of protein, i.e., loss of biotin-binding activity, was not yet observed at 100 degree C. Avidin in the intestine, lung, bursa of Fabricius, plasma and pectoral muscle also showed an identical cross-reaction with oviduct avidin. Furthermore, the increase in avidin-like biotin binding in the oviduct and most non-oviduct tissues was significantly correlated with the increase in avidin-like antigen in the tissue. This indicates that avidin induced in chicken non-oviduct tissues by injury or inflammation caused by actinomycin D administration is similar to progesterone-dependent oviduct avidin.

Animals↗
PubMed1992

Delta 5-3-beta-hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase activity in rat oviduct and implications of oviductal steroidogenesis.

Tubal factor in infertility is about one third. As part of an ongoing study of the mammalian oviduct the rat oviduct was serialised into 66 zones for the characterisation of 3 beta-hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase activity using substrates dehydroepiandosterone (DHA), pregnenolone and testosterone. Reactivity was quantified from 1-5 and was present in some of the preampullary zones of the rat oviduct in stromal and epithelial cells and completely absent in isthmic zones. Ultrastructural analysis of oviduct ampullaryisthmic zone 33 showed a probable epithelial steroidogenic cell with considerable amounts of smooth endoplasmic reticulum and hooded and circumnuclear mitochondria. The localisation of sterol dehydrogenase activity in some zones of the preampullary-ampullary segments in the rat oviduct opens up potentialities for the study of steroidogenesis in the mammalian oviduct. If the mammalian oviduct produces considerable amounts of steroids in some zones, as the histochemical activity demonstrates, then conditions such as luteinised unruptured follicle (LUF; with diagnostic peritoneal decrease in steroid concentration), steroid presence in oviductal fluid, ovulation control by the oviduct and even oocyte maturation and local steroid-peptide interactions are easily explainable. Without the zones model, it will not be possible to characterise the activity.

3-Hydroxysteroid Dehydrogenases↗
PubMed1992

Culture of one-cell bovine embryos in explanted mouse oviduct and bovine oviductal epithelial cells.

One-cell bovine embryos fertilized in vivo were cultured in TCM-199 and bovine oviductal epithelial cells, in TCM-199, or in explanted immature mouse oviducts supported by TCM-199 to compare development to the blastocyst stage. The morphological stage of development and cell number were determined following 144 hours of culture. Of the embryos that cleaved at least once, 52.6, 30.4 and 0.0% developed to the morula/blastocyst stage after culture in oviductal epithelial cells, in TCM-199 alone, or in explanted mouse oviducts, respectively. The mean total cell number for embryos cultured in oviductal epithelial cells (24.5) was higher than for embryos cultured in TCM-199 (12.8) or in explanted mouse oviducts (5.9; P<0.05). The mean cell number of embryos cultured in TCM-199 or in explanted mouse oviducts did not differ. The explanted immature mouse oviduct supported by TCM-199 did not provide an environment adequate for development of one-cell bovine embryos to the blastocyst stage. Development of one-cell bovine embryos was best supported by co-culture with oviductal epithelial cells in TCM-199 medium.

Journal Article↗
PubMed2000

Effect of estradiol and progesterone on oviductal LH-receptors and LH-dependent relaxation of the porcine oviduct.

We have previously shown that the porcine oviduct possesses immunoreactive and functional LH receptors and that LH causes relaxation of the oviduct, especially during the periovulatory stage of estrous cycle. The current studies were undertaken to investigate the effects of estradiol and progesterone on LH receptor protein and LH-stimulated motility of the oviduct in steroid-primed ovariectomized gilts. Twenty-one cross-bred gilts were ovariectomized at 6 m.o. of age. Four weeks later gilts received daily intramuscular injection of either 2 mL corn oil (control n = 4), estradiol benzoate (EB) 1.5 mg (n = 6), progesterone 50 mg (n = 5), or 1.5 mg EB plus 50 mg progesterone (n = 6) for 4 consecutive days. The gilts were slaughtered on Day 5 after the first injection of steroids or vehicle. Rings of isthmus and ampulla were collected from each oviduct and placed in a tissue chamber perfused with Kreb's solution for 60 min. The mechanical activity was recorded for 30 min after LH treatment. Immunoreactivity of LHR in the Fallopian tube sections were detected in the epithelium of the tubal mucosa, smooth muscle cells and the blood vessel endothelium. Western blotting showed that porcine oviducts contain 75, 48 and 45 kDa immunoreactive LH receptor proteins, like the corpus luteum (CL). The lowest receptor expression was found in controls and in gilts treated with estradiol or progesterone. Combined treatment with estradiol and progesterone resulted in a significant increase of LH receptor protein concentrations when compared with control animals. In vitro LH treatment affected oviduct contractility of combined estradiol and progesterone treated gilts but not the oviduct of the remaining groups. It also caused a decrease in amplitude, frequency and areas under the curve (AUC) of ampulla (P < 0.05) and the amplitude and AUC of isthmus (P < 0.001) in combined estradiol and progesterone-primed gilts. These results indicate that estradiol and progesterone together, but not separately, increase LH receptor protein in the porcine oviduct and that combined estradiol and progesterone priming is necessary for LH-induced relaxation of the porcine oviduct.

Animals↗
PubMedDate not supplied

The baboon oviduct: characteristics of an oestradiol-dependent oviduct-specific glycoprotein.

The baboon oviductal epithelium differentiates into a tall columnar epithelium consisting of ciliated and secretory cells during the follicular phase of the menstrual cycle in response to rising oestradiol levels. The apical tips of these secretory cells are filled with membrane-bound secretory granules. During the luteal phase when progesterone levels are elevated, the epithelium regresses and deciliation occurs. Analysis of secretory proteins obtained from explant culture media by SDS-PAGE followed by fluorography or Western blots has revealed that the baboon oviduct synthesizes and secretes a high molecular weight glycoprotein during the follicular phase of the cycle. Immunocytochemistry demonstrated that this oviductal glycoprotein is localized to the secretory granules of epithelial secretory cells, is oviduct specific, and that following secretion the oviductal glycoprotein binds to the zona pellucida and perivitelline space of ovulated oocytes and embryos within the oviduct. Similar proteins have been characterized in other mammalian species. cDNA data show that the complete coding sequence is 2228 bp for a protein of 623 amino acids. A Genbank search showed that baboon oviductal glycoprotein has high homology to other oviductal glycoprotein sequences at both the nucleotide and amino acid levels. Studies conducted to date probing the biological function of oviductal glycoprotein indicate that this protein plays a role in prefertilization reproductive events (sperm capacitation; sperm-zona binding; zona penetration). Additional experiments are needed to reveal a specific function and mechanism for this molecule.

Amino Acid Sequence↗
PubMed1988

Function of bilateral oviducts in double oviduct hens following surgery.

A double oviduct line of Rhode Island Red chickens has been maintained as a closed flock at the Wisconsin Experiment Station since 1970. Sixty-four percent of the stock reared during the 3-yr study period had complete left and right oviducts. Experiments were designed to determine whether the right oviduct of double oviduct hens was functional. Two surgical procedures were chosen in which either a piece of the left ovary was transplanted to the right side, or the abdominal-midline tunica serosa was opened and the left ovary was pulled to the right side. In one experiment the left oviduct was also made nonfunctional. Laparotomized hens served as controls. Insemination with semen from dominant barred males as a genetic marker, followed by physical examination, confirmed right oviduct function. Hens that formed the egg in the normal left oviduct laid significantly more eggs of much greater weight and had higher percentage fertility than hens with functional right oviducts.

Animals↗
PubMed1996

Effect of steroids and oviductal cells, from the different parts of the oviduct, on the incidence of monospermy in porcine in vitro fertilization.

A high incidence of polyspermy occurs in porcine in vitro fertilization. It is also known that in vivo, the oviductal cells and their secretions play an important role in fertilization and early development. Vesicles from oviductal cells from different parts of the oviduct (isthmus or ampulla) pretreated with estradiol or progesterone or ethanol were used to assess their role in the fertilization process. Oviductal cells were co-cultured with 0.5 million motile sperm/ml for 30 min. A 10-microl sample (spermatozoa bound with the cells) was added to 40-microl droplets of fertilization medium containing 5 oocytes. After 15 to 18 h, oocytes were examined for penetration and monospermy. The results show a lower penetration rate with oviductal cells than that of the control. The use of oviductal cells from the isthmus treated with estradiol significantly decreased the percentage of polyspermy compared with that of ampulla treated with the estradiol or with the control. When the isthmus cells were treated with progesterone, an increase in the incidence of polyspermy was observed. Therefore, it is possible to use oviductal cells to increase the incidence of monospermy in porcine in vitro fertilization; moreover, estradiol increases the proportion of monospermy when added to isthmus-derived oviductal cells.

Journal Article↗
PubMed2003

PDC-109 (BSP-A1/A2) promotes bull sperm binding to oviductal epithelium in vitro and may be involved in forming the oviductal sperm reservoir.

Sperm reservoirs have been found in the oviducts of several species of mammals. In cattle, the reservoir is formed by the binding of sperm to fucose-containing glycoconjugates on the surface of oviductal epithelial cells. A fucose-binding molecule was purified from sperm extracts and identified as PDC-109 (BSP-A1/A2), a protein that is secreted by the seminal vesicles and associates with the plasma membrane of sperm upon ejaculation. The objective of this study was to demonstrate that PDC-109 promotes bull sperm binding to oviductal epithelium. PDC-109 was purified from bovine seminal plasma, and polyclonal antibodies were produced in rabbits. The antibodies detected PDC-109 on ejaculated sperm by indirect immunofluorescence and Western blots of extracts, but PDC-109 was not detected on epididymal sperm. When added to epididymal sperm, purified PDC-109 was absorbed onto the plasma membrane overlying the acrosome, as demonstrated by indirect immunofluorescence and by labeling sperm directly with fluorescein-conjugated PDC-109. When added to explants of oviductal epithelium, significantly fewer epididymal sperm than ejaculated sperm became bound. Addition of PDC-109 to epididymal sperm increased epithelial binding to the level observed for ejaculated sperm. In addition, binding of ejaculated sperm to oviductal epithelium was inhibited by addition of excess soluble PDC-109. Ejaculated sperm lost the ability to bind to oviductal epithelium after heparin-induced capacitation, but treatment with PDC-109 restored binding. These results demonstrate that PDC-109 enables sperm to bind to oviductal epithelium and plays a major role in formation of the bovine oviductal sperm reservoir.

Animals↗
PubMed1984

The chick oviduct in tissue culture. II. Estrogen affects ovalbumin synthesis differently than oviduct cell proliferation.

The addition of estradiol alone to oviduct cell cultures was sufficient to induce ovalbumin synthesis, detectable both by immunofluorescence and immunoprecipitation of newly synthesized protein. Most cells stained positively for ovalbumin indicating that the culture conditions promoted the growth of the ovalbumin synthesizing tubular gland cells relative to other cell types. The rate of ovalbumin synthesis was lower than that expected in vivo but as high as or higher than that found in organ culture. In tissue culture ovalbumin gene expression was under the direct influence of estrogen. Previous work showed that estrogen did not stimulate rapid proliferation of oviduct cell cultures (S. S. Seaver, J. van der Bosch & G. Sato, Exp cell res 155 (1984) 241) [5]. Therefore further experiments were done in vivo to correlate the effects of different hormonal regimes on oviduct growth and ovalbumin synthesis. In several instances the hormones affected oviduct growth differently than they affected ovalbumin synthesis. However, there was a strong correlation between the ability of a hormonal regime to stimulate oviduct growth in vivo and the ability of the serum from those chicks to stimulate oviduct cellular proliferation in culture. In vivo estrogen also stimulates oviduct growth by very different mechanisms than it stimulates the expression of the egg white protein genes.

Animals↗