In vivo versus in vitro oviductal glycoprotein (OGP) association with the zona pellucida (ZP) in the hamster and baboon.

The goal of this study was to determine if differences exist between in vivo vs. in vitro OGP association with the ZP and to quantitate those differences. Ovarian oocytes were harvested 12.

The baboon oviduct: characteristics of an oestradiol-dependent oviduct-specific glycoprotein.

The baboon oviductal epithelium differentiates into a tall columnar epithelium consisting of ciliated and secretory cells during the follicular phase of the menstrual cycle in response to rising oestradiol levels. The apical tips of these secretory cells are filled with membrane-bound secretory granules. During the luteal phase when progesterone levels are elevated, the epithelium regresses and deciliation occurs.

Characterization of antibodies generated against a conserved portion of oviductal glycoprotein (OGP) and endogenous hamster OGP and their ability to decrease sperm binding to the zona pellucida in vitro.

Problem: The effect of antibodies generated against hamster oviductal glycoprotein (OGP) on sperm binding to the zona pellucida (ZP) was evaluated.

Method Of Study: Antibodies against a 17-amino-acid sequence of the OGP core protein (amino acids 52-68) and the denatured hamster OGP protein were generated, characterized, and tested in an in vitro sperm binding assay.

Results: Sperm binding was significantly decreased (P < 0.

Species-specific effect of oviductal glycoproteins on hamster sperm binding to hamster oocytes.

The secretory cells of the oviductal epithelium secrete a high-molecular-weight glycoprotein (OGP). OGPs from different mammalian species show similar immunological characteristics, their cDNAs show high homologies, and they associate with the zona pellucida of oviductal oocytes in vivo. The purpose of this study was to determine the effect of OGP obtained from different species on the binding of hamster sperm to hamster oocytes.

Characteristics of an oviductal glycoprotein and its potential role in fertility control.

At the time of ovulation the lining epithelium of the mammalian oviduct consists of columnar ciliated and secretory cells. These mature cells are dependent on ovarian steroids in carnivores. Oestradiol induces differentiation of these cells and maintains their mature functional state, and progesterone induces dedifferentiation.

Regional distribution and hormonal control of estrogen-dependent oviduct-specific glycoprotein messenger ribonucleic acid in the baboon (Papio anubis).

Our objective in this study was to complete the sequence of the baboon oviductal glycoprotein, examine the hormonal regulation of the oviductal glycoprotein mRNA, and determine whether there was a regional variation within the oviduct in the level of oviductal glycoprotein mRNA expression. Finally, because of the structural similarity of the amino terminal end of the oviductal glycoprotein to chitinases, we sought to determine whether the oviductal glycoprotein functions as a glycosyl hydrolase. The total transcript length of the baboon oviductal glycoprotein was determined to be 2228 nucleotides in length plus a poly(A) tail.

Association of oviduct-specific glycoproteins with human and baboon (Papio anubis) ovarian oocytes and enhancement of human sperm binding to human hemizonae following in vitro incubation.

The objectives of this study were 1) to determine whether or not human and baboon oviduct-specific glycoproteins (human OGP, baboon OGP) would associate with ovarian oocytes during in vitro incubation in a manner similar to that detected in vivo for oviductal oocytes and 2) to determine whether the association of OGP with ovarian oocytes influenced sperm binding. In vitro association of OGP with ovarian oocytes was assessed by indirect immunofluorescence assay using a polyclonal antibody prepared against human or baboon OGP. Human and baboon ovarian oocytes incubated in culture media containing OGP showed association of OGP with the zona pellucida (ZP) as detected by bright fluorescence.

A human oviduct-specific glycoprotein: synthesis, secretion, and localization during the menstrual cycle.

The major objective of this study was to examine the hormonal regulation of a human oviduct-specific glycoprotein (huOGP) throughout the menstrual cycle and in all regions of the human oviduct. Regulation of synthesis and secretion was examined at both the protein (Western immunoblots and immunocytochemistry) and mRNA (Northern and slot blots) levels and correlated with changes in the morphological features of the oviductal epithelial cells throughout the cycle. Immunoblot analysis of oviductal fluid and explant culture media from all regions of the oviduct demonstrated that huOGP is primarily found during the follicular stage of the cycle and is not present in serum, follicular fluid, or uterine endometrium.

In vitro incubation of golden (Syrian) hamster ovarian oocytes and human sperm with a human oviduct specific glycoprotein.

The objective of this study was to determine if human oviduct specific glycoprotein (huOGP) would associate with hamster ovarian oocytes and human sperm during in vitro incubation. The huOGP used in these studies was partially purified from human hydrosalpinx fluid. Hamster ovarian oocytes and human sperm samples were incubated in culture medium with and without huOGP.

Hormonal control of the cervix in pregnant gilts. IV. Relaxin promotes changes in the histological characteristics of the cervix that are associated with cervical softening during late pregnancy in gilts.

We recently described relaxin-induced changes that occur in both the physical properties and the biochemical composition of the uterine and vaginal portions of the cervix during the last third of gestation in the gilt. This study employed morphometric analysis to examine both the changes that occur in the histological characteristics of the uterine and vaginal portions of the cervix between days 80 and 110 of pregnancy in intact gilts and the effects of relaxin on these changes in ovariectomized gilts given progesterone to maintain pregnancy. There were four treatment groups: intact day 80 control gilts, sham-ovariectomized day 110 control gilts, ovariectomized progesterone-treated day 110 gilts, and ovariectomized progesterone- plus relaxin-treated day 110 gilts.

Immunological characterization and immunocytochemical localization of an oviduct-specific glycoprotein in the human.

The objective of the current study was to generate a polyclonal antibody toward a previously described 110- to 130-kilodalton (kDa) human oviductal glycoprotein and to use the antibody to detect the protein in tissue sections, tissue culture media, and oviductal flushings. The polyclonal antibody was generated in male rabbits against the 110- to 130-kDa glycoprotein partially purified from hydrosalpinx fluid. Segments of human oviducts were either cut into 2- to 3-mm pieces and cultured for 24 h, or fixed and embedded in Araldite for light and electron microscopic immunocytochemistry.

The physiological effects of relaxin during pregnancy: studies in rats and pigs.

For 50 years after its discovery in 1926, there was a general lack of interest in relaxin among both reproductive biologists and clinicians. A key reason for this lack of interest was the lack of information concerning relaxin's physiological importance during pregnancy in any species. Research conducted since the early 1980s has established that the hormone relaxin is essential during pregnancy in at least two species--rats and pigs.

Hormonal control of the cervix in pregnant gilts. III. Relaxin's influence on cervical biochemical properties in ovariectomized hormone-treated pregnant gilts.

The effects of relaxin on the biochemical properties of both the uterine and vaginal portions of the cervix were examined between days 80-110 of pregnancy in ovariectomized gilts given progesterone to maintain pregnancy. In the cervix of control gilts and those ovariectomized and given progesterone plus relaxin, wet and dry weights, water content, and the glycosaminoglycan/collagen ratio increased between days 80-110 of gestation. Collagen concentrations based on wet or dry weight and glycosaminoglycan concentrations based on wet weight decreased during this period.

Effect of relaxin on mammary development in ovariectomized pregnant gilts.

The role of relaxin in mammary development was studied between days 80-110 of pregnancy in ovariectomized gilts given progesterone to maintain pregnancy. To obtain an objective measurement of lobulo-alveolar (parenchymal) composition, mammary glands were cut in cross-section through the teat, and the area of parenchymal tissue on the exposed face of the gland was determined. Ovariectomy on day 80 or 100 followed by progesterone replacement therapy resulted in a dramatic reduction in the rate of growth of mammary parenchymal cross-section area on days 100 and 110 of gestation, respectively, compared to that in controls.