title: Modelling aspects of oviduct fluid formation in vitro.
abstract: Oviduct fluid is the microenvironment that supports early reproductive processes including fertilisation, embryo cleavage and genome activation. However, the composition and regulation of this critical environment remain rather poorly defined. This study uses an in vitro preparation of the bovine oviduct epithelium to investigate the formation and composition of in vitro-derived oviduct fluid (ivDOF) within a controlled environment. We confirm the presence of oviduct-specific glycoprotein 1 in ivDOF and show that the amino acid and carbohydrate content resembles that of previously reported in vivo data. In parallel, using a different culture system, a panel of oviduct epithelial solute carrier genes and the corresponding flux of amino acids within ivDOF in response to steroid hormones were investigated. We next incorporated fibroblasts directly beneath the epithelium. This dual culture arrangement represents more faithfully the in vivo environment and impacts on ivDOF composition. Lastly, physiological and pathophysiological endocrine states were modelled and their impact on the in vitro oviduct preparation was evaluated. These experiments help clarify the dynamic function of the oviduct in vitro and suggest a number of future research avenues, such as investigating epithelial-fibroblast interactions, probing the molecular aetiologies of subfertility and optimising embryo culture media.
authors.affiliation: Centre for Cardiovascular and Metabolic Research (CCMR) The Hull York Medical School (HYMS), Kingston upon Hull, UK.
authors.forename: Constantine A
authors.initials: CA
authors.lastname: Simintiras
authors.affiliation: Ludwig-Maximilian University of Munich Munich, Bavaria, Germany.
authors.forename: Thomas
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Fröhlich
authors.affiliation: The Michael White Centre for Diabetes and Endocrinology Hull Royal Infirmary (HRI), Hull York Medical School (HYMS), Kingston upon Hull, UK.
authors.forename: Thozhukat
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Sathyapalan
authors.affiliation: Ludwig-Maximilian University of Munich Munich, Bavaria, Germany.
authors.forename: Georg J
authors.initials: GJ
authors.lastname: Arnold
authors.affiliation: Swiss Federal Institute of Technology Zurich (ETHZ) Zürich, Switzerland.
authors.forename: Susanne E
authors.initials: SE
authors.lastname: Ulbrich
authors.affiliation: Centre for Cardiovascular and Metabolic Research (CCMR) The Hull York Medical School (HYMS), Kingston upon Hull, UK.
authors.forename: Henry J
authors.initials: HJ
authors.lastname: Leese
authors.affiliation: Centre for Cardiovascular and Metabolic Research (CCMR) The Hull York Medical School (HYMS), Kingston upon Hull, UK.
authors.forename: Roger G
authors.initials: RG
authors.lastname: Sturmey