title: Oviductal fluid proteins associated with the bovine zona pellucida and the effect on in vitro sperm-egg binding, fertilization and embryo development.
abstract: Studies have demonstrated that oviductal fluid (ODF) proteins associate with eggs of numerous species including the bovine. In this study, the association of three ODF proteins, the bovine oestrus-associated protein, osteopontin (OPN), lipocalin-type prostaglandin D synthase (L-PGDS), with the bovine zona pellucida (ZP) was demonstrated by immunohistochemistry and western blot. The biological function of ODF derived egg-associated OPN and L-PGDS in sperm binding, fertilization and embryonic development was also explored. In vitro matured bovine oocytes were pre-incubated with ODF collected by cannula from cows in oestrus, or ODF with antibodies to OPN, L-PGDS and bovine serum albumin (BSA). Following incubation, oocytes were inseminated with 1 x 10(5) frozen-thawed spermatozoa, and they were evaluated for sperm binding, fertilization and embryonic development in vitro. Pre-treatment of ODF with antibodies to all of proteins reduced sperm binding to the ZP and fertilization in vitro. Cleavage rates were not significantly different among incubations, but rates of embryo development were significantly decreased. We conclude that antibodies to OPN, L-PGDS and BSA react with oocytes incubated with ODF and inhibit sperm binding, fertilization and embryonic development in vitro, suggesting a potential role of these proteins in these events.
authors.affiliation: Department of Animal Reproduction, College of Veterinary Medicine and Animal Science, São Paulo University, Cidade Universitária, SP, Brazil. ona@usp.br
authors.forename: R F
authors.initials: RF
authors.lastname: Gonçalves
authors.forename: A L
authors.initials: AL
authors.lastname: Staros
authors.forename: G J
authors.initials: GJ
authors.lastname: Killian
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D000906:Antibodies / Q000494:pharmacology*; D015153:Blotting, Western / Q000662:veterinary; D002417:Cattle / Q000196:embryology / Q000502:physiology*; D005260:Female; D005306:Fertilization / Q000502:physiology*; D005307:Fertilization in Vitro / Q000187:drug effects / Q000662:veterinary; D006023:Glycoproteins / Q000276:immunology / Q000378:metabolism; D007150:Immunohistochemistry / Q000662:veterinary; D019746:Intramolecular Oxidoreductases / Q000276:immunology / Q000378:metabolism; D054834:Lipocalins / Q000276:immunology / Q000378:metabolism; D008297:Male; D053495:Osteopontin / Q000276:immunology / Q000378:metabolism; D010057:Oviducts / Q000502:physiology*; D011247:Pregnancy; D013084:Sperm-Ovum Interactions / Q000187:drug effects / Q000502:physiology*; D013094:Spermatozoa / Q000187:drug effects; D015044:Zona Pellucida / Q000378:metabolism* / Q000502:physiology
chemical_list: D000906:Antibodies; D006023:Glycoproteins; D054834:Lipocalins; C104698:estrus-associated oviductal protein, Bos taurus; D053495:Osteopontin; D019746:Intramolecular Oxidoreductases; C022466:prostaglandin R2 D-isomerase