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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 -
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 -
Reproduction (Cambridge, England) Mar 2020The oviduct (known as the fallopian tube in humans) is the site for fertilization and pre-implantation embryo development. Female steroid hormones, estrogen and... (Review)
Review
The oviduct (known as the fallopian tube in humans) is the site for fertilization and pre-implantation embryo development. Female steroid hormones, estrogen and progesterone, are known to modulate the morphology and function of cells in the oviduct. In this review, we focus on the actions of estrogen and progesterone on secretory, ciliated, and muscle cell functions and morphologies during fertilization, pre-implantation embryo development, and embryo transport in humans, laboratory rodents and farm animals. We review some aspects of oviductal anatomy and histology and discuss current assisted reproductive technologies (ARTs) that bypass the oviduct and their effects on embryo quality. Lastly, we review the causes of alterations in secretory, ciliated, and muscle cell functions that could result in embryo transport defects.
Topics: Animals; Animals, Domestic; Embryonic Development; Epithelial Cells; Estrogens; Fallopian Tubes; Female; Genital Diseases, Female; Humans; Menstrual Cycle; Mice; Microscopy, Electron, Scanning; Muscle Cells; Pregnancy; Pregnancy, Ectopic; Progesterone; Rats; Reproductive Techniques, Assisted
PubMed: 32040278
DOI: 10.1530/REP-19-0189 -
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 -
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 -
Animal : An International Journal of... Mar 2020Assisted reproduction techniques (ARTs) provide access to early stage embryos whose analysis and assessment deliver valuable information. The handling of embryos,... (Review)
Review
Assisted reproduction techniques (ARTs) provide access to early stage embryos whose analysis and assessment deliver valuable information. The handling of embryos, including the in vitro production of bovine embryos, is a rapidly evolving area which nonetheless exposes the embryos to unnatural conditions for a period of time. The Fallopian tube provides innumerable quantitative and qualitative factors, all of which guarantee the successful development of the embryo. It is well known that the Fallopian tube can be bypassed, using embryo transfer, resulting in successful implantation in the target recipient animal and the birth of calves. However, the question arises as to whether such circumvention has a negative impact on the embryo during this sensitive development period. First crosstalk between the embryo and its environment confirms mutual recognition activities and indicate bilateral effects. Nowadays, in vitro production of bovine embryos is a well-established technology. However, it is still evident that in vitro generated embryos are not qualitatively comparable to embryos obtained ex vivo. To counteract these differences, comparative studies between in vitro and ex vivo embryos are advantageous, as embryos grown in their physiological environment can provide a blueprint or gold standard against which to compare embryos produced in vitro. Attempts to harness the bovine oviduct were sometimes very invasive and did not result in wide acceptance and routine use. Long-term development and refinement of transvaginal endoscopy for accessing the bovine oviduct has meanwhile been routinely applied for research as well as in practice. Comparative studies combining in vitro development with development in the cattle oviduct revealed that the environmental conditions to which the embryo is exposed before activation of the embryonic genome can have detrimental and lasting effects on its further development. These effects are manifested as deviations in gene expression profiles and methylation signatures as well as frequency of whole chromosomal or segmental aberrations. Furthermore, it was shown that hormonal superstimulation (multiple ovulation and embryo transfer), varying progesterone concentrations as well as metabolic disorders caused by high milk production, markedly affected embryo development in the postpartum period. Assisted reproductive techniques that allow the production and handling of extra numbers of generated embryos promise to have a very high impact on scientific and practical application. Any influence on the early embryonic life, both in animals and in vitro, is accompanied by a sensitive change in embryonic activity and should be assessed in vivo on the basis of physiological conditions before being used for ART.
Topics: Animals; Cattle; Embryo Implantation; Embryo Transfer; Embryo, Mammalian; Embryonic Development; Environment; Fallopian Tubes; Female; Oviducts; Pregnancy; Progesterone; Reproduction
PubMed: 32024564
DOI: 10.1017/S175173111900315X -
Andrology Jul 2022Although millions or even billions of sperm are deposited in the female genital tract, only very few sperm reach the oocyte, and only one single spermatozoon will... (Review)
Review
BACKGROUND
Although millions or even billions of sperm are deposited in the female genital tract, only very few sperm reach the oocyte, and only one single spermatozoon will successfully fertilize. During the journey of the sperm within the female genital tract, the interactions between spermatozoa and fallopian tube are critical for sperm selection, sperm survival, and maintenance of sperm fertilizing capacity.
RESULTS
This review will provide a comprehensive overview of the latest findings regarding sperm transport and behavior of sperm within the oviduct, sperm selection in the oviduct, the formation of the sperm reservoir, and the release of sperm in the presence of the oocyte. It will primarily focus on recent novel insights on sperm-oviduct interactions, which have been obtained by cutting-edge technologies under in vivo or near in vivo conditions.
CONCLUSIONS
The comprehensive analysis of the findings to date will elucidate the complex molecular changes in the tubal epithelium, which are induced by the presence of the sperm and will highlight how the epithelial cells of this organ affect transport, behavior, and function of sperm. This knowledge is essential for scientists and clinicians involved in assisted reproductive technologies.
Topics: Animals; Fallopian Tubes; Female; Fertilization; Humans; Male; Oviducts; Semen; Spermatozoa
PubMed: 35340118
DOI: 10.1111/andr.13179 -
Reproduction (Cambridge, England) Feb 2023In vivo imaging of gametes and embryos in the oviduct enables new studies of the native processes that lead to fertilization and pregnancy. This review article discusses... (Review)
Review
IN BRIEF
In vivo imaging of gametes and embryos in the oviduct enables new studies of the native processes that lead to fertilization and pregnancy. This review article discusses recent advancements in the in vivo imaging methods and insights which contribute to understanding the oviductal function.
ABSTRACT
Understanding the physiological dynamics of gametes and embryos in the fallopian tube (oviduct) has significant implications for managing reproductive disorders and improving assisted reproductive technologies. Recent advancements in imaging of the mouse oviduct in vivo uncovered fascinating dynamics of gametes and embryos in their native states. These new imaging approaches and observations are bringing exciting momentum to uncover the otherwise-hidden processes orchestrating fertilization and pregnancy. For mechanistic investigations, in vivo imaging in genetic mouse models enables dynamic phenotyping of gene functions in the reproductive process. Here, we review these imaging methods, discuss insights recently revealed by in vivo imaging, and comment on emerging directions, aiming to stimulate new in vivo studies of reproductive dynamics.
Topics: Pregnancy; Humans; Female; Animals; Mice; Fallopian Tubes; Oviducts; Germ Cells; Reproduction; Diagnostic Imaging
PubMed: 36318634
DOI: 10.1530/REP-22-0250 -
Molecular Reproduction and Development Jan 2023The biological events associated with mammalian reproductive processes are highly dynamic and tightly regulated by molecular, genetic, and biomechanical factors.... (Review)
Review
The biological events associated with mammalian reproductive processes are highly dynamic and tightly regulated by molecular, genetic, and biomechanical factors. Implementation of live imaging in reproductive research is vital for the advancement of our understanding of normal reproductive physiology and for improving the management of reproductive disorders. Optical coherence tomography (OCT) is emerging as a promising tool for dynamic volumetric imaging of various reproductive processes in mice and other animal models. In this review, we summarize recent studies employing OCT-based approaches toward the investigation of reproductive processes in both, males and females. We describe how OCT can be applied to study structural features of the male reproductive system and sperm transport through the male reproductive tract. We review OCT applications for in vitro and dynamic in vivo imaging of the female reproductive system, staging and tracking of oocytes and embryos, and investigations of the oocyte/embryo transport through the oviduct. We describe how the functional OCT approach can be applied to the analysis of cilia dynamics within the male and female reproductive systems. We also discuss the areas of research, where OCT could find potential applications to progress our understanding of normal reproductive physiology and reproductive disorders.
Topics: Humans; Male; Female; Animals; Mice; Tomography, Optical Coherence; Semen; Reproduction; Fallopian Tubes; Oviducts; Mammals
PubMed: 36574640
DOI: 10.1002/mrd.23665 -
The Cornell Veterinarian Jul 1991The bovine oviduct provides the environment for sperm transport and capacitation, oocyte transport and maturation, fertilization and early embryonic cleavage. Gamete... (Review)
Review
The bovine oviduct provides the environment for sperm transport and capacitation, oocyte transport and maturation, fertilization and early embryonic cleavage. Gamete interactions in the tube occur in contact with both the tubal epithelium and the oviduct fluid secreted by these cells. Current research continues to reveal the active role of the oviduct and its products play in normal fertilization and embryo development. This paper reviews the anatomy and physiology of the oviduct of the cow, including the specific events of reproduction which occur in this organ.
Topics: Animals; Cattle; Fallopian Tubes; Female; Fertilization; Male; Oocytes; Reproduction; Sperm Capacitation; Sperm Transport
PubMed: 1879144
DOI: No ID Found