Essential role of ZP molecules in tubal transport of embryos in mice.
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.
Kim
Chang Hun
CH
Laboratory of Applied Genetics, Graduate School of Agricultural and Life Science, University of Tokyo, Tokyo, Japan.
Seo
Byoung Boo
BB
Yamanouchi
Keitaro
K
Kuromaru
Masamich
M
Sawasaki
Toru
T
Hinsch
Elvira
E
Hinsch
Klaus-Dieter
KD
Naito
Kunihiko
K
Tachi
Chikashi
C
Tojo
Hideaki
H
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
D007106:Immune Sera; D009439:Neuraminidase; D001617:beta-Glucosidase; D001616:beta-Galactosidase; D010450:Endopeptidases