Oviduct-Specific Glycoprotein Modulates Sperm-Zona Binding and Improves Efficiency of Porcine Fertilization In Vitro1

Abstract

Oviduct-specific glycoprotein (OGP) displays estrus-associated regional and temporal differences in expression and localizes to the zona pellucida, perivitelline space, and plasma membrane of oviductal oocytes and embryos, suggesting that it may have a role in regulation of fertilization and/or early embryonic development. The aims of this study were to evaluate the effect of exogenous OGP on in vitro fertilization (IVF) and embryo development in the pig using a defined serum-free culture system. In vitro-matured porcine oocytes were incubated with homologous OGP (0, 1, 10, 20, and 40 microg/ml) for 3 h and then washed prior to IVF. Exposure of oocytes to 10 or 20 microg/ml porcine OGP (pOGP) significantly reduced the incidence of polyspermy compared with the control (P < 0.01) while maintaining high penetration rates. When oocytes, spermatozoa, or both were preincubated with 10 microg/ml pOGP prior to IVF, the incidence of polyspermy was similarly reduced (P < 0.01) by all three treatments without affecting penetration rates. The ability of spermatozoa to undergo calcium ionophore-induced acrosome reaction was similar with or without exposure to pOGP. However, significantly fewer spermatozoa (P < 0.01) bound to the zona pellucida when oocytes were preincubated with pOGP. To evaluate the effect of pOGP on embryo development, embryos were cultured in pOGP-supplemented medium for 48 h or 144 h. Both transient and continuous exposure to pOGP significantly enhanced cleavage and blastocyst formation rate compared with the control (P < 0.01). These data demonstrate that exposure of either in vitro-matured oocytes or spermatozoa to pOGP decreased polyspermy and spermatozoa binding while maintaining high penetration rates of pig oocytes fertilized in vitro. Furthermore, pOGP exerted an embryotrophic effect independent of effects demonstrated on spermatozoa and oocytes at fertilization.

Deleted in malignant brain tumor 1 is secreted in the oviduct and involved in the mechanism of fertilization in equine and porcine species

“…Its role is of particular importance during the process of fertilization. Oviduct epithelial cells co-culture promotes in vitro production of embryos in human (Bongso et al 1991, Kervancioglu et al 1997, bovine (Chian & Sirard 1995, Way et al 1997, Martus et al 1998, porcine (Romar et al 2001, McCauley et al 2003, deer (Locatelli et al 2005), and dromedary (Khatir et al 2004) species. Moreover, some oviductal proteins have been shown to interact with gametes and to improve efficiency of IVF in porcine (McCauley et al 2003, bovine (Martus et al 1998), human (O' Day-Bowman et al 1996), and equine (Mugnier et al 2009) species.…”

“…Oviduct epithelial cells co-culture promotes in vitro production of embryos in human (Bongso et al 1991, Kervancioglu et al 1997, bovine (Chian & Sirard 1995, Way et al 1997, Martus et al 1998, porcine (Romar et al 2001, McCauley et al 2003, deer (Locatelli et al 2005), and dromedary (Khatir et al 2004) species. Moreover, some oviductal proteins have been shown to interact with gametes and to improve efficiency of IVF in porcine (McCauley et al 2003, bovine (Martus et al 1998), human (O' Day-Bowman et al 1996), and equine (Mugnier et al 2009) species. Some of these proteins, such as osteopontin, have been identified (Hao et al 2006, Goncalves et al 2008, Monaco et al 2009) in cattle and pigs and atrial natriuretic peptide A (Anderson et al 1994, Zamir et al 1995, Zhang et al 2006 and oviductin (oviduct-specific glycoprotein; Martus et al 1998, Buhi 2002, McCauley et al 2003 in cattle, pigs, and humans.…”

“…Moreover, some oviductal proteins have been shown to interact with gametes and to improve efficiency of IVF in porcine (McCauley et al 2003, bovine (Martus et al 1998), human (O' Day-Bowman et al 1996), and equine (Mugnier et al 2009) species. Some of these proteins, such as osteopontin, have been identified (Hao et al 2006, Goncalves et al 2008, Monaco et al 2009) in cattle and pigs and atrial natriuretic peptide A (Anderson et al 1994, Zamir et al 1995, Zhang et al 2006 and oviductin (oviduct-specific glycoprotein; Martus et al 1998, Buhi 2002, McCauley et al 2003 in cattle, pigs, and humans.…”

Oviduct-specific glycoprotein and heparin modulate sperm–zona pellucida interaction during fertilization and contribute to the control of polyspermy

“…Many studies support a functional role for the oviduct and its secretions (which are rich in estrus-associated glycoproteins) in fertilization, regulating processes such as sperm-ZP binding, the establishment of species-specific ZP barriers, and early embryonic development (1,10,13,(18)(19)(20)(21). However, the molecular mechanisms underlying oviductal regulation are not fully understood, and few studies on this topic have been conducted with domestic ungulates as models.…”

“…In an experimental design to demonstrate our hypothesis, the possible oviductal factor must fulfil two conditions: (i) reversibility (i.e., induction of ZP resistance to proteinases has to be ''reversible'' because proteolysis of the ZP is required for hatching of blastocysts in uterus), and (ii) localization in the oviductal fluid. Although previous attempts to prolong ZP resistance to proteinases (for hours at least) in pigs using oviductal secretions or soluble molecules have been unsuccessful (18,22,23), new methodologic approaches could be designed to explain how oviductal porcine and bovine oocytes become resistant to pronase.…”