Early embryo‐maternal communication in the oviduct: A review

The functions of the female reproductive tract not only encompass sperm migration, storage, and fertilization, but also support the transport and development of the fertilized egg through to the birth of offspring. Further, because the tract is open to the external environment, it must also provide protection against invasive pathogens. In biophysics, sperm are considered “pusher microswimmers”, because they are propelled by pushing fluid behind them. This type of swimming by motile microorganisms promotes the tendency to swim along walls and upstream in gentle fluid flows. Thus, the architecture of the walls of the female tract, and the gentle flows created by cilia, can guide sperm migration. The viscoelasticity of the fluids in the tract, such as mucus secretions, also promotes the cooperative swimming of sperm that can improve fertilization success; at the same time, the mucus can also impede the invasion of pathogens. This review is focused on how the mammalian female reproductive tract and sperm interact physically to facilitate the movement of sperm to the site of fertilization. Knowledge of female/sperm interactions can not only explain how the female tract can physically guide sperm to the fertilization site, but can also be applied for the improvement of in vitro fertilization devices.

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“…The oviducts (also known as fallopian tubes), consist of four regions: uterotubal junction (UTJ), isthmus, ampulla, and infundibulum [ 35 ].…”

Section: Physical Aspects Of Female Environment That Affect Direction and Speed Of Sperm Movementmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…The inner surface in most mammals is lined by folds that form pockets for sperm storage (Figure 3). The oviducts (also known as fallopian tubes), consist of four regions: uterotubal junction (UTJ), isthmus, ampulla, and infundibulum [35].…”

Section: Overview Of Mammalian Female Reproductive Tractmentioning

confidence: 99%

Co-Adaptation of Physical Attributes of the Mammalian Female Reproductive Tract and Sperm to Facilitate Fertilization

Tung

Suárez

2021

Cells

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“…In the context of this article, proteins are considered only as a potential source of amino acids, although it is recognised that the oviduct proteome will play many critical roles beyond amino acid supply, e.g., [ 13 , 27 ]. Protein concentrations in oviduct fluid are 5–10% those in serum [ 3 , 28 ] and the origin and transport of proteins across the oviduct and their dialogue with the gametes and embryo has become an active area of research: e.g., see reviews by [ 29 , 30 , 31 , 32 ]. Recent developments, well-summarised by Saint-Dizier et al [ 6 ] have used mass spectrometry to examine the wide range of proteins present and their transport in extracellular vesicles released by the oviduct epithelial cells.…”

Section: Proteins In Oviduct Fluid; Putative Functions and Regulationmentioning

confidence: 99%

Amino Acids and the Early Mammalian Embryo: Origin, Fate, Function and Life-Long Legacy

Leese

McKeegan

Sturmey

2021

IJERPH

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Amino acids are now recognised as having multiple cellular functions in addition to their traditional role as constituents of proteins. This is well-illustrated in the early mammalian embryo where amino acids are now known to be involved in intermediary metabolism, as energy substrates, in signal transduction, osmoregulation and as intermediaries in numerous pathways which involve nitrogen metabolism, e.g., the biosynthesis of purines, pyrimidines, creatine and glutathione. The amino acid derivative S-adenosylmethionine has emerged as a universal methylating agent with a fundamental role in epigenetic regulation. Amino acids are now added routinely to preimplantation embryo culture media. This review examines the routes by which amino acids are supplied to the early embryo, focusing on the role of the oviduct epithelium, followed by an outline of their general fate and function within the embryo. Functions specific to individual amino acids are then considered. The importance of amino acids during the preimplantation period for maternal health and that of the conceptus long term, which has come from the developmental origins of health and disease concept of David Barker, is discussed and the review concludes by considering the potential utility of amino acid profiles as diagnostic of embryo health.

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“…Although the oviduct is known to be the place where preimplantation development occurs (Kölle et al, 2020;Moore et al, 2019), it is unknown whether the embryos are freely floating in the oviduct lumen. At 0.75 dpc, zygotes were located within the AIJ (Fig.7K,L), suggesting that the thick mucus was removed from the region.…”

Section: Oocytes and Preimplantation Embryos Travel Along The Oviductmentioning

confidence: 99%

Anatomical and cellular heterogeneity in the mouse oviduct-- its potential roles in reproduction and preimplantation development

Harwalkar

Ford

Teng

et al. 2020

Preprint

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The oviduct/fallopian tube is a tube-like structure that extends from the uterus to the ovary. It is an essential reproductive tissue that provides an environment for internal fertilization and preimplantation development. However, our knowledge of its regional and cellular heterogeneity is still limited. Here, we examined the anatomical complexity of mouse oviducts using modern imaging techniques and fluorescence reporter lines. We found that there are basic coiling patterns and turning points in the coiled mouse oviduct can serve as reliable landmarks for luminal morphological regionalities. We identified previously unrecognized anatomical structures in the isthmus and uterotubal junction (UTJ) that likely play important roles in reproduction. Interestingly, during ovulation, the isthmus was transiently plugged by a thick mucus, keeping the oocytes within the ampulla. Preimplantation embryos travelled along the oviduct and formed a queue within small compartments of the UTJ before uterine entry. Taken together, the oviduct luminal epithelium had highly diverse luminal structures with distinct cell populations reflecting its complex functions in reproduction.

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Early embryo‐maternal communication in the oviduct: A review

Cited by 34 publications

References 123 publications

Co-Adaptation of Physical Attributes of the Mammalian Female Reproductive Tract and Sperm to Facilitate Fertilization

Co-Adaptation of Physical Attributes of the Mammalian Female Reproductive Tract and Sperm to Facilitate Fertilization

Amino Acids and the Early Mammalian Embryo: Origin, Fate, Function and Life-Long Legacy

Anatomical and cellular heterogeneity in the mouse oviduct-- its potential roles in reproduction and preimplantation development

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