title: Oviduct: roles in fertilization and early embryo development.
abstract: Animal oviducts and human Fallopian tubes are a part of the female reproductive tract that hosts fertilization and pre-implantation development of the embryo. With an increasing understanding of roles of the oviduct at the cellular and molecular levels, current research signifies the importance of the oviduct on naturally conceived fertilization and pre-implantation embryo development. This review highlights the physiological conditions within the oviduct during fertilization, environmental regulation, oviductal fluid composition and its role in protecting embryos and supplying nutrients. Finally, the review compares different aspects of naturally occurring fertilization and assisted reproductive technology (ART)-achieved fertilization and embryo development, giving insight into potential areas for improvement in this technology.
authors.affiliation: School of Molecular BiosciencesCollege of Veterinary Medicine, Washington State University, Pullman, Washington, USA.
authors.forename: Shuai
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Li
authors.affiliation: School of Molecular BiosciencesCollege of Veterinary Medicine, Washington State University, Pullman, Washington, USA winuthayanonw@vetmed.wsu.edu.
authors.forename: Wipawee
authors.initials: W
authors.lastname: Winuthayanon
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D047108:Embryonic Development / Q000502:physiology*; D005187:Fallopian Tubes / Q000502:physiology*; D005260:Female; D005306:Fertilization / Q000502:physiology*; D006801:Humans; D010057:Oviducts / Q000502:physiology*; D011247:Pregnancy
keywords: embryo protection; embryo transport; estrogen and progesterone; fallopian tube; oviductal fluid