title: Effect of a null mutation of the oviduct-specific glycoprotein gene on mouse fertilization.
abstract: The mammalian fertilization process takes place in a complex microenvironment within the female genital tract. A member of the chitinase protein family, oviduct-specific glycoprotein (OGP), has been identified in oviductal fluid from various mammalian species, including humans. Although OGP is widely believed to be involved in the process of mammalian fertilization, including spermatozoon function and gamete interactions, based on experimental results obtained in vitro, its physiological significance remains controversial. The present study established OGP gene-null ( ogp (-/-)) mice, and primarily characterized their reproductive properties to study the physiological function(s) of OGP. Results obtained from studies using an in vivo or in vitro system showed that the fertility of ogp (-/-) females was within normal limits. These results indicate that OGP is not essential for the process of in vivo fertilization, at least in mice.
authors.affiliation: Department of Immunology and Parasitology, Yamagata University School of Medicine, 2-2-2 Iida-Nishi, Yamagata 990-9585, Japan. yaraki@med.id.yamagata-u.ac.jp
authors.forename: Yoshihiko
authors.initials: Y
authors.lastname: Araki
authors.forename: Makoto
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Nohara
authors.forename: Hiromi
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Yoshida-Komiya
authors.forename: Takashi
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Kuramochi
authors.forename: Mamoru
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Ito
authors.forename: Hiroyoshi
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Hoshi
authors.forename: Yoichi
authors.initials: Y
authors.lastname: Shinkai
authors.forename: Yutaka
authors.initials: Y
authors.lastname: Sendai
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D005260:Female; D005306:Fertilization / Q000235:genetics* / Q000502:physiology; D005307:Fertilization in Vitro; D020868:Gene Silencing; D006023:Glycoproteins / Q000737:chemistry / Q000172:deficiency / Q000235:genetics* / Q000502:physiology; D008297:Male; D051379:Mice; D018345:Mice, Knockout; D009154:Mutation; D013234:Stem Cells / Q000737:chemistry / Q000378:metabolism; D014162:Transfection
chemical_list: D006023:Glycoproteins; C097024:Ovgp1 protein, mouse