-
International Journal of Molecular... Nov 2020In mammals, the oviduct (or the Fallopian tube in humans) can be divided into the infundibulum (responsible for oocyte pick-up), ampulla (site of fertilization), isthmus... (Review)
Review
In mammals, the oviduct (or the Fallopian tube in humans) can be divided into the infundibulum (responsible for oocyte pick-up), ampulla (site of fertilization), isthmus (where preimplantation embryos develop), and uterotubal junction (where embryos transit to the uterus). The oviductal fluid, as well as extracellular vesicles produced from the oviduct epithelial cells, referred to as oEVs, have been shown to improve the fertilization process, prevent polyspermy, and aid in embryo development. oEVs contain molecular cargos (such as miRNAs, mRNAs, proteins, and lipids) that can be delivered and fuse to recipient cells. oEVs produced from the ampulla appear to be functionally distinct from those produced from the isthmus. In multiple species including mice, cats, dogs, pigs, and cows, oEVs can be incorporated into the oocytes, sperm, and embryos. In this review, we show the positive impact of oEVs on gamete function as well as blastocyst development and how they may improve embryo quality in in vitro conditions in an assisted reproductive technology setting for rodents, domestic animals, farm animals, and humans.
Topics: Animals; Blastocyst; Cats; Cattle; Cells, Cultured; Dogs; Embryonic Development; Extracellular Vesicles; Fallopian Tubes; Female; Germ Cells; Humans; Mice; Oviducts; Pregnancy; Reproductive Techniques, Assisted; Swine
PubMed: 33167378
DOI: 10.3390/ijms21218280 -
The Journal of Endocrinology Jan 2017Animal 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... (Review)
Review
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.
Topics: Animals; Embryonic Development; Fallopian Tubes; Female; Fertilization; Humans; Oviducts; Pregnancy
PubMed: 27875265
DOI: 10.1530/JOE-16-0302 -
Cells May 2022In mammalian females, after sperm are deposited in the reproductive tract, a fraction of sperm migrates to the lower oviduct (isthmus) and forms a sperm storage site... (Review)
Review
In mammalian females, after sperm are deposited in the reproductive tract, a fraction of sperm migrates to the lower oviduct (isthmus) and forms a sperm storage site known as the functional sperm reservoir. The interactions between sperm membrane proteins and oviduct epithelial cells facilitate sperm binding to the oviductal epithelium and retention in the reservoir. Sperm are bound by glycans that contain specific motifs present on isthmic epithelial cells. Capacitated sperm are released from the reservoir and travel further in the oviduct to the ampulla where fertilization occurs. For decades, researchers have been studying the molecules and mechanisms of sperm release from the oviductal sperm reservoir. However, it is still not clear if the release of sperm is triggered by changes in sperm, oviduct cells, oviduct fluid, or a combination of these. While there is a possibility that more than one of these events are involved in the release of sperm from the reservoir, one activator of sperm release has the largest accumulation of supporting evidence. This mechanism involves the steroid hormone, progesterone, as a signal that induces the release of sperm from the reservoir. This review gathers and synthesizes evidence for the role of progesterone in inducing sperm release from the oviduct functional sperm reservoir.
Topics: Animals; Epithelium; Fallopian Tubes; Female; Humans; Male; Mammals; Oviducts; Progesterone; Spermatozoa
PubMed: 35626659
DOI: 10.3390/cells11101622 -
Reproductive Biomedicine Online Mar 2015The oviduct has long been considered a 'pipeline', a tube allowing transit of spermatozoa and embryos; this perspective has been reinforced by the success of human IVF.... (Comparative Study)
Comparative Study Review
The oviduct has long been considered a 'pipeline', a tube allowing transit of spermatozoa and embryos; this perspective has been reinforced by the success of human IVF. Evidence accumulated over several decades, however, indicates that embryos can modulate the metabolism of tubal cells in their environment. Human IVF culture media is based on formulations that pass mouse embryo assays as quality control: the requirements of mouse embryos differ from those of human embryos, and therefore conditions for human IVF are far removed from the natural environment of the oviduct. The preimplantation environment, both in vitro and in vivo, is known to affect the health of offspring through mechanisms that influence imprinting. Recent studies also show that male accessory glands act in synergy with the oviduct in providing an optimal environment, and this represents a further perspective on the oviduct's contribution to harmonious embryo development and subsequent long-term health. The metabolism of the human embryo is far from being understood, and a 'return' to in-vivo conditions for preimplantation development is worthy of consideration. Although results obtained in rodents must be interpreted with caution, lessons learned from animal embryo culture must not be neglected.
Topics: Animals; Cells, Cultured; Coculture Techniques; Ectogenesis; Embryo Culture Techniques; Embryo Transfer; Embryonic Development; Fallopian Tubes; Female; Fertilization in Vitro; Gamete Intrafallopian Transfer; Humans; Infertility, Female; Male; Models, Biological; Pregnancy; Semen; Zygote Intrafallopian Transfer
PubMed: 25599823
DOI: 10.1016/j.rbmo.2014.11.011 -
Biological Reviews of the Cambridge... Feb 2012Recalling the evolutionary sequence of development first of gonad and subsequently of oviducts, ovarian endocrine regulation of all known components of oviduct... (Review)
Review
Recalling the evolutionary sequence of development first of gonad and subsequently of oviducts, ovarian endocrine regulation of all known components of oviduct physiology is reviewed. Ovaries not only influence oviducts via the systemic blood circulation, but also locally by counter-current transfer of relatively high concentrations of steroid hormones and prostaglandins between the ovarian vein and oviduct branch of the ovarian artery. The efficiency and impact of such counter-current transfer is greatest around the time of ovulation, the transfer process receiving further inputs from hormones present in peritoneal fluid. Classical oviduct physiology is summarised, and the potential molecular consequences of temperature gradients within the duct lumen examined. At ovulation, an oocyte-cumulus complex is displaced in minutes from the follicular surface to the site of fertilisation at the ampullary-isthmic junction of the oviduct. This rapid initial phase is contrasted with the subsequent slow progression of embryos to the uterus in days, still encompassed within a zona pellucida. Regarding transport of spermatozoa, the formation of a pre-ovulatory reservoir in the caudal portion of the oviduct isthmus is noted, with suppression of motility and sperm-head binding to epithelial organelles acting to maintain fertilising ability. Completion of capacitation is prompted shortly before ovulation, predominantly by Ca(2+) influx into bound spermatozoa. A controlled release of spermatozoa coupled with their hyperactivation results in initial sperm:egg ratios at the site of fertilisation close to unity, thereby avoiding the pathological condition of polyspermy. Both the oviduct milieu and embryonic development are influenced by paracrine activity of follicular granulosa cells released at ovulation and remaining in suspension in the vicinity of the oocyte or embryo. These cells may amplify early pregnancy signals from a zygote to the endosalpinx. Beneficial effects of the oviduct on domestic animal embryos are contrasted with anomalies arising as a consequence of in vitro culture. Primate embryos do not require exposure to an oviduct for normal development, perhaps due to overlapping compositions of endosalpingeal and endometrial secretions. Additionally, primate endometrial secretions may be modified by viable gametes or an embryo in the presence of a cumulus cell suspension.
Topics: Animals; Fallopian Tubes; Female; Mammals; Ovulation; Ovum; Pregnancy
PubMed: 21883867
DOI: 10.1111/j.1469-185X.2011.00196.x -
Domestic Animal Endocrinology Jul 2016The local immune system in the oviduct has a unique ability to deal with pathogens, allogeneic spermatozoa, and the semi-allogeneic embryo. To achieve this, it seems... (Review)
Review
The local immune system in the oviduct has a unique ability to deal with pathogens, allogeneic spermatozoa, and the semi-allogeneic embryo. To achieve this, it seems likely that the oviduct possesses an efficient and strictly controlled immune system that maintains optimal conditions for fertilization and early embryo development. The presence of a proper sperm and/or embryo-oviduct interaction begs the question of whether the local immune system in the oviduct exerts beneficial or deleterious effects on sperm and early embryo; support or attack?. A series of studies has revealed that bovine oviduct epithelial cells (BOECs) are influenced by preovulatory levels of Estradiol-17β, progesterone, and LH to maintain an immunologic homeostasis in bovine oviduct, via inhibition of proinflammatory responses that are detrimental to allogenic sperm. Under pathologic conditions, the mucosal immune system initiates the inflammatory response to the infection; the bacterial lipopolysaccharide (LPS) at low concentrations induces a proinflammatory response with increased expression of TLR-4, PTGS2, IL-1β, NFκB1, and TNFα, resulting in tissue damage. At higher concentrations, however, LPS induces a set of anti-inflammatory genes (TLR-2, IL-4, IL-10, and PTGES) that may initiate a tissue repair. This response of BOECs is accompanied by the secretion of acute phase protein, suggesting that BOECs react to LPS with a typical acute proinflammatory response. Under physiological conditions, polymorphonuclear neutrophils (PMN) are existent in the oviductal fluid during preovulatory period in the bovine. Interestingly, the bovine oviduct downregulates sperm phagocytosis by PMN via prostaglandin E2 (PGE2) action. In addition, the angiotensin-endothelin-PGE2 system controlling oviduct contraction may fine-tune the PMN phagocytic behavior to sperm in the oviduct. Importantly, a physiological range of PGE2 supplies anti-inflammatory balance in BOEC. Our recent results show that the sperm binding to BOECs further shift the local immunity toward anti-inflammatory conditions with upregulation of IL-10, TGFβ, and PGE2. In addition, this local environment leads PMN to express anti-inflammatory cytokines. In conclusion, the oviduct displays mucosal immunity that maintains an anti-inflammatory environment under physiological conditions that supports the sperm. Under pathologic condition, however, the oviduct supplies the innate immunity that may attack the sperm. Moreover, the oviduct-sperm interaction further suppresses the innate immune cells and strengthens the anti-inflammatory balance in the oviduct. Therefore, the oviduct immunity ensures sperm viability before fertilization.
Topics: Animals; Fallopian Tubes; Female; Gene Expression Regulation; Immunity, Innate; Immunity, Mucosal; Immunomodulation
PubMed: 27345318
DOI: 10.1016/j.domaniend.2016.02.005 -
Cells Mar 2022Progesterone has been shown to be a potent suppressor of several inflammatory pathways. During pregnancy, progesterone levels increase, allowing for normal pregnancy... (Review)
Review
Progesterone has been shown to be a potent suppressor of several inflammatory pathways. During pregnancy, progesterone levels increase, allowing for normal pregnancy establishment and maintenance. The dysregulation of progesterone, as well as inflammation, leads to poor pregnancy outcomes. However, it is unclear how progesterone imbalance could impact inflammatory responses in the oviduct and subsequently result in early pregnancy loss. Therefore, in this review, we describe the role of progesterone signaling in regulating the inflammatory response, with a focus on the oviduct and pathological conditions in the Fallopian tubes.
Topics: Animals; Fallopian Tubes; Female; Humans; Oviducts; Pregnancy; Progesterone; Receptors, Progesterone
PubMed: 35406639
DOI: 10.3390/cells11071075 -
Cells May 2022Therapies that target progesterone action hold potential as contraceptives and in managing gynecological disorders. Recent literature reviews describe the role of... (Review)
Review
Therapies that target progesterone action hold potential as contraceptives and in managing gynecological disorders. Recent literature reviews describe the role of steroid hormones in regulating the mammalian oviduct and document that estrogen is required to stimulate epithelial differentiation into a fully functional ciliated and secretory state. However, these reviews do not specifically address progesterone action in nonhuman primates (NHPs). Primates differ from most other mammals in that estrogen levels are >50 pg/mL during the entire menstrual cycle, except for a brief decline immediately preceding menstruation. Progesterone secreted in the luteal phase suppresses oviductal ciliation and secretion; at the end of the menstrual cycle, the drop in progesterone triggers renewed estrogen-driven tubal cell proliferation ciliation secretory activity. Thus, progesterone, not estrogen, drives fallopian tube cycles. Specific receptors mediate these actions of progesterone, and synthetic progesterone receptor modulators (PRMs) disrupt the normal cyclic regulation of the tube, significantly altering steroid receptor expression, cilia abundance, cilia beat frequency, and the tubal secretory milieu. Addressing the role of progesterone in the NHP oviduct is a critical step in advancing PRMs as pharmaceutical therapies.
Topics: Animals; Estrogens; Fallopian Tubes; Female; Mammals; Oviducts; Pharmaceutical Preparations; Primates; Progesterone
PubMed: 35563839
DOI: 10.3390/cells11091534 -
The Veterinary Record May 2020
Topics: Anatomy, Veterinary; Animals; Fallopian Tubes; Female; Oviducts; Societies, Scientific; Terminology as Topic
PubMed: 32430389
DOI: 10.1136/vr.m1836 -
Molecular Reproduction and Development Jun 2020An intact embryo-maternal communication is critical for the establishment of a successful pregnancy. To date, a huge number of studies have been performed describing the... (Review)
Review
An intact embryo-maternal communication is critical for the establishment of a successful pregnancy. To date, a huge number of studies have been performed describing the complex process of embryo-maternal signaling within the uterus. However, recent studies indicate that the early embryo communicates with the oviductal cells shortly after fertilizationand that this is important for the successful establishment of pregnancy. Only if the early embryo is capable to signal the mother within a precise timeframe and to garner a response, will the embryo be able to survive and reach the uterus. This review will give an overview of all the experimental designs which have investigated embryo-maternal interaction in the oviduct. In addition to that, it will provide a comprehensive analysis of the findings to date elucidating the morphological and molecular changes in the oviduct which are induced by the presence of the early embryo highlighting how the tubal responses affect embryo development and survival.
Topics: Animals; Cell Communication; Embryo Implantation; Embryo, Mammalian; Embryonic Development; Fallopian Tubes; Female; Fetal Viability; Humans; Maternal-Fetal Exchange; Oviducts; Pregnancy
PubMed: 32506761
DOI: 10.1002/mrd.23352