Oviductal secretions: will they be key factors for the future ARTs?
A variety of evolutionary processes has led to the development of different organs to ensure that internal fertilization occur successfully. Fallopian tubes are a particularly interesting example of such organs. Some of the key events during fertilization and early embryo development occur in the oviduct. Knowledge of the different components described in the oviduct is extensive. Oviductal components include hormones, growth factors and their receptors that have important roles in the physiology of the oviduct and embryo development. Other oviductal factors protect the gamete and the embryos against oxidative stress and pathogens. Different proteins and enzymes are present in the oviductal fluid and have the ability to interact with the oocyte and the sperm before the fertilization occurs. Of special interest is the oviduct-specific glycoprotein (OVGP1), a glycoprotein that is conserved in different mammals, and its association with the zona pellucida (ZP). Interaction of the oocyte with oviductal secretions leads us to emphasize the concept of 'ZP maturation' within the oviduct. The ZP changes produced in the oviduct result in an increased efficiency of the in vitro fertilization technique in some animal models, contributing in particular to the control of polyspermy and suggesting that a similar role could be played by oviductal factors in human beings. Finally, attention should be given to the presence in the oviductal fluid of several embryotrophic factors and their importance in relation to the in vivo versus in vitro developmental ability of the embryos.
Avilés
Manuel
M
Department of Cell Biology and Histology, Faculty of Medicine, University of Murcia, Murcia, Spain. maviles@um.es
Gutiérrez-Adán
Alfonso
A
Coy
Pilar
P
D000595:Amino Acid Sequence; D000818:Animals; D046149:Embryo Culture Techniques; D047108:Embryonic Development / Q000502:physiology; D005187:Fallopian Tubes / Q000737:chemistry / Q000378:metabolism*; D005260:Female; D006023:Glycoproteins / Q000737:chemistry / Q000235:genetics / Q000502:physiology; D006801:Humans; D008969:Molecular Sequence Data; D009865:Oocytes / Q000254:growth & development; D010057:Oviducts / Q000737:chemistry / Q000378:metabolism*; D027724:Reproductive Techniques, Assisted; D016415:Sequence Alignment; D013045:Species Specificity; D013084:Sperm-Ovum Interactions; D015044:Zona Pellucida / Q000502:physiology
D006023:Glycoproteins; C091468:OVGP1 protein, human