title: Growth factors and extracellular matrix proteins in interactions of cumulus-oocyte complex, spermatozoa and oviduct.
abstract: The expression and localization of selected growth factor systems and extracellular matrix (ECM) components that may influence oocyte maturation and fertilization within the mammalian oviduct are reported. Fibroblast growth factor (FGF) and vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) systems could be detected by use of RT-PCR, RNase protection assay (RPA) and immunohistochemistry in bovine follicles, bovine cumulus-oocyte complexes (COC) and bovine and marmoset oviducts. Two different subtypes of the FGF receptor (FGFR-1 and -2) were identified in distinct cell types, indicating a functional difference. A complete epidermal growth factor (EGF) system was found in the porcine, but not in the bovine, oviduct. There were additional differences between bovine and primate oviducts: FGF-1/2 and FGFR were increased in the marmoset around ovulation, in contrast to an increase in FGF-1 in the cow. Immunohistochemistry revealed accumulation and storage of FGF and VEGF on the surface of the epithelium, possibly due to their binding property on heparanglycoproteins. Other ECM components, matrix metalloproteinase 1 (MMP-1) and tissue inhibitor of metalloproteinase 1 (TIMP-1), were found to be modulated in the ovarian follicle, COC and oviduct during the cycle. An oviduct-mediated depletion of sperm surface proteins (BSP1-3) was discovered as well as a sperm-induced novel oviductal mRNA related to an anti-oxidant protein family. Associated systems of growth factors and ECM components can be suggested as paracrine or autocrine mediators during fertilization in a species-, cycle- and tissue-dependent manner.
authors.affiliation: Institute of Physiology, TU Munich, Freising, Germany.
authors.forename: R
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Einspanier
authors.forename: C
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Gabler
authors.forename: B
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Bieser
authors.forename: A
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Einspanier
authors.forename: B
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Berisha
authors.forename: M
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Kosmann
authors.forename: K
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Wollenhaupt
authors.forename: D
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Schams
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D002417:Cattle; D005314:Embryonic and Fetal Development / Q000502:physiology; D016228:Endothelial Growth Factors / Q000378:metabolism; D016326:Extracellular Matrix Proteins / Q000502:physiology*; D005187:Fallopian Tubes / Q000378:metabolism*; D005260:Female; D005346:Fibroblast Growth Factors / Q000378:metabolism; D006133:Growth Substances / Q000502:physiology*; D008222:Lymphokines / Q000378:metabolism; D008297:Male; D008322:Mammals / Q000502:physiology*; D020781:Matrix Metalloproteinase 1 / Q000378:metabolism; D010053:Ovary / Q000378:metabolism*; D013084:Sperm-Ovum Interactions / Q000502:physiology*; D019715:Tissue Inhibitor of Metalloproteinase-1 / Q000378:metabolism; D042461:Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor A; D042442:Vascular Endothelial Growth Factors
chemical_list: D016228:Endothelial Growth Factors; D016326:Extracellular Matrix Proteins; D006133:Growth Substances; D008222:Lymphokines; D019715:Tissue Inhibitor of Metalloproteinase-1; D042461:Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor A; D042442:Vascular Endothelial Growth Factors; D005346:Fibroblast Growth Factors; D020781:Matrix Metalloproteinase 1