title: Essential role of ZP molecules in tubal transport of embryos in mice.
abstract: Our understandings of the molecular and cellular mechanisms underlying tubal transport of embryos are poor. This study describes the essential role of the molecules on the zona pellucida (ZP) in the tubal transport of mouse embryos. The bovine and porcine embryos that were interspecifically transferred to the mouse oviduct were selectively retained in the oviduct and rarely transported to the uterus. Antiserum ZP3-9 against synthetic peptides that are specific for mouse ZP3, significantly interfered with tubal transport of the treated embryos. The treatment of mouse embryos with antiserum ZP2-20 against the synthetic peptides, deduced from the sequences that are conserved in the structure of ZP2 from mouse and human, also inhibited their tubal transport. Among various proteolytic and glycosidic enzymes, treatments with trypsin and beta-glucosidase prior to transfer to the oviduct, significantly interfered with the tubal transport of the enzyme-treated mouse embryos. We hypothesize that species-specific epitopes on the ZP may be recognized by the oviductal cilia and/or the epithelial cells of ducts for tubal transport.
authors.affiliation: Laboratory of Applied Genetics, Graduate School of Agricultural and Life Science, University of Tokyo, Tokyo, Japan.
authors.forename: Chang Hun
authors.initials: CH
authors.lastname: Kim
authors.forename: Byoung Boo
authors.initials: BB
authors.lastname: Seo
authors.forename: Keitaro
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Yamanouchi
authors.forename: Masamich
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Kuromaru
authors.forename: Toru
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Sawasaki
authors.forename: Elvira
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Hinsch
authors.forename: Klaus-Dieter
authors.initials: KD
authors.lastname: Hinsch
authors.forename: Kunihiko
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Naito
authors.forename: Chikashi
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Tachi
authors.forename: Hideaki
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Tojo
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D001692:Biological Transport; D002417:Cattle; D004624:Embryo Transfer; D004622:Embryo, Mammalian / Q000196:embryology / Q000378:metabolism*; D010450:Endopeptidases / Q000378:metabolism; D005260:Female; D007106:Immune Sera / Q000276:immunology; D051379:Mice; D008854:Microscopy, Electron; D009439:Neuraminidase / Q000378:metabolism; D010057:Oviducts / Q000378:metabolism*; D051381:Rats; D013045:Species Specificity; D013552:Swine / Q000196:embryology; D015044:Zona Pellucida / Q000276:immunology / Q000378:metabolism* / Q000648:ultrastructure; D001616:beta-Galactosidase / Q000378:metabolism; D001617:beta-Glucosidase / Q000378:metabolism
chemical_list: D007106:Immune Sera; D009439:Neuraminidase; D001617:beta-Glucosidase; D001616:beta-Galactosidase; D010450:Endopeptidases