大鼠生殖周期下丘脑、卵巢、子宫钙调素含量变化及子宫钙调素的免疫组化定位

用ELISA法测定大鼠下丘脑、卵巢、子宫在动情周期中钙调素(Calmodulin)的含量变化,并用免疫组化法(Immunohistochemical technique)研究了大鼠动情周期中子宫内钙调素的分布。结果为:(1)处在动情期的大鼠,其子宫、卵巢、下丘脑中钙调素的含量明显高于间情期、动情前期及动情后期的含量。其顺序为动情期>动情前期>动情后期>间情期。其中以下丘脑、卵巢的含量变化较急骤。提出钙调素含量变化与雌激素的含量一致,由此推测钙调素对维持卵巢正常功能,子宫生长发育有密切关系。(2)经免疫组化定位,不论处在间情期或动情期的子宫,钙调素的分布在肌层与内膜层均有,以内膜层较多,特别是在动情期的分布更高。此与钙调素含量测定的结果一致。     

基质金属蛋白酶-2、-9及其组织抑制因子（TIMPs）在动情周期大鼠子宫中的表达

基质金属蛋白酶（MMPs)家族的作用是降解所有细胞外基质,其活性受其特异性组织抑制因子（TIMPs)的抑制。细胞外基质成分的降解与重组在动物生殖生长过程中起重要作用,其变化可以通过MMPs和TIMPs两者表达水平的变化进行监测。大鼠虽然没有月经形成,但是在其子宫内膜也出现类似灵长类的生殖生物学变化。本文从MMPs和TIMPs两者的表达水平,对大鼠子宫内膜的这些变化进行了研究。于大鼠动情周期的不同时期,将算处死,取子宫制备酶粗提液和组织切片,采用酶谱法(zymography)和原位杂交方法研究动情周期大鼠子宫中MMP-2和-9的活性变化以反MMP-2、-9和TIMP-1、-2、-3mRNA的表达。并通过光密度扫描方法对酶谱结果进行半定量分析。所用杂交探针见Table 1．酶谱结果显示：在动情周期大鼠子宫中只检测到67kDa的MMP-2活性,而没有检测到MMP-9的活性(Fig.1)。MMP-2的活性在动情前期最高,动情期和动情后期次之,同情期最低(Flg．2)。原位杂交结果显示：MMP-2、-9、TIMP-1、-2、-3m RNA主要在子宫内膜基底部的基质细胞中表达。MMP-2和-9 mRNA在动情前期、动情期和动情后期子宫内膜基底部的基质细胞和动情期子宫环行肌层中表达均较强,在间情期表达较弱。MMP-9 mRNA在动情期腔上皮和腺上皮细胞中也有较弱的表达(Fig．3)。TIMP-1 mRNA在动情期和动情后期子宫内膜基底部的基质细胞中以及动情期腔上皮和腺上皮细胞中表选较强,在动情前期和间情期表达较弱(Fig．4)。TIMP-2 mRNA在动情期和间情期子宫内膜基底部的基质细胞中以度在动情期上皮细胞中表达较强,在动情前期和动情后期表逮较弱(Fig.4)。TINP-3 mRNA在动情期子宫内膜基底部的基质细胞中表达最强,在动情后期和间情期次之,动情前期表达最弱。TIMP-3 mRNA在动情期子宫环行肌层中也有较强的表达(Fig.5)。由此可见,MMP-2的活性和MMIP-2的基固表达基本一致,MMP-2和-9及其组织抑制因子TIMPs在时间和空间上的表达也基本一致。提示：MMP-2,-9及TIMP-1、-2、-3共同参与了动情周期大鼠子宫内膜的周期性变化。     

大鼠动情周期中生殖轴系微循环血量的变化

本文采用放射性生物微球技术,对雌性大鼠动情周期中丘脑下部-垂体-卵巢轴系的微循环血量进行了测量。结果指出,周期各期丘脑下部和垂体的血流量无显著差异(p>0.05)。卵巢血流量在动情后期最大,动情期最小,两期血流量的差异显著(p<0.02)。子宮血流量以动情后期最大,间情期仍维持在较高水平,动情期最小。动情后期和间情期与动情期比较均有显著差异(分别为p<0.01和P<0.05)。输卵管血流量动情期最大,动情前期最小,两期血流量的差异也有显著性(p<0.05)。由此表明,卵巢、子宫和输卵管血流量有明显的周期性波动。血流量的多寡与其生理机能状态和性激素的变化有关。     

大鼠动情周期垂体促性腺细胞周期性变化的定量免疫细胞化学研究

本报告用免疫细胞化学方法确定大鼠动情周期垂体促性腺细胞的周期性形态学变化。实验将大鼠垂体石蜡切片用兔抗HCG血清和辣根过氧化物酶标记抗体方法染色后,在光学显微镜下观察,并用分格计数法和修正的落点法分别测定促性腺细胞的数量和大小。测定和观察结果为:(1)每平方nam细胞的平均数目为间情期662±36、动情前期633±102、动情期449±105和动情后期472±76。用方差分析表明,间情期和动情前期受染色的细胞平均数目明显多于动情期和动情后期(n=12,P<0.05)。(2)受染色促性腺细胞的平均面积(μm~2)为间情期106.00±11.70、动情前期107.00±13.10、动情期95.70±10.30和动情后期101.00±5.95,在动情周期的不同时期细胞大小无显著差异。(3)在动情周期的不同时期促性腺细胞各种类型的分布特征呈周期性变化。此结果提示:受染色促性腺细胞数量和结构类型的周期性变化可能与大鼠动情周期中血清促性腺激素浓度的周期性变化有密切关系。     

动情周期中大鼠子宫和输卵管壁肥大细胞数量变化的研究

用放射免疫分析法对动情周期中大鼠血清雌二醇浓度进行检测;取子宫、输卵管常规石蜡切片、H－E染色,并用甲苯胺蓝染色显示肥大细胞,于光镜低倍视野下计数。结果显示：动物血清雌二醇浓度依次为：动情期（E）组＞动情前期（PE）组＞动情后期（ME）组＞动情间(DE)且,各组间差异均有显性;在子宫,肥大细胞分布于宫壁肌怪平滑肌束间的结缔组织内、近小血管处,以微血管周居多,常见单个散在,于ME子宫内膜尚偶见肥大细胞;输卵管肥大细胞局限于其外膜层内、近小血管周围,亦多散在。子宫、输卵管壁内的肥大细胞镜下呈圆形、椭圆形或略不规则形,胞浆内充满紫红色粗大颗粒,子宫肥大细胞数量依次为：ME＞DE＞PE＞E,各组间差异有生（DE与PE、PE与E,P＜0.05,余组间P＜0.01）;输卵管壁内肥大细胞数量各组间差异无显性（P＞0.05）。本尚对大鼠血清雌二醇水平波动与子宫、输卵管壁内肥大细胞数量变化的关系及其生理意义进行了讨论。     

沙眼衣原体感染后大鼠输卵管与植物凝集素BS-1结合的糖蛋白的变化

目的研究沙眼衣原体感染后输卵管与植物凝集素BS-1结合的糖蛋白的变化.方法取25只成熟Wistar雌性大鼠随机分为实验组和对照组,每组5只.对照组接种2SP代替沙眼衣原体,其余每组大鼠均在卵巢囊接种沙眼衣原体D型株.分别于感染后3,5,7,14d处死动物,取输卵管,观察大鼠输卵管与植物凝集素BS-1结合的糖蛋白在感染后不同天数发生的改变,其变化可通过荧光显微镜观察与植物凝集素BS-1结合后的荧光强度来检测,并采用HPIAS-1000图文分析系统进行定量分析和SPSS11.0统计软件作统计分析.结果输卵管受损部位主要在粘膜层,富含N-乙酰-D-半乳糖胺的糖蛋白随感染的天数不同,其变化有所不同,尤其以输卵管峡部变化明显.图像分析结果显示:感染第7d时其分泌量最低,感染后第14d其分泌量逐渐恢复,且各组间差异有显著性意义(P<0.05).结论输卵管是精子与卵子结合的地方,也是胚胎早期发育的场所.富含N-乙酰-D-半乳糖胺的糖蛋白可通过参与精卵结合、受精卵卵裂和早期胚胎发育等方式,对受精卵及早期胚胎发挥保护作用.     

大鼠动情周期雌激素水平变化对晕动病易感性的影响

目的：众多的流行病学研究和动物实验表明,晕动病存在明显的性别差异,特别是雌激素对晕动病易感性可能存在某些易化的调节作用,本研究为探讨“异食癖”模型上大鼠动情周期雌激素水平的变化对晕动病易感性的影响。方法：大鼠在不同的动情周期,给予足够的旋转刺激以后,通过摄取高岭土量的变化评价大鼠的晕动病反应,同时测定血浆雌激素（E2和P）水平,观察雌激素水平的变化对晕动病易感性的影响。结果：大鼠体内的雌性激素（E2和P）水平随着动情周期而发生波动,在动情期时,E2水平达到最高,而在动情前期则达到最低。P水平在动情间期和动情前期较高而在动情期与动情后期较低。足够的旋转刺激之后,大鼠的摄取高岭土量显著增加,并且呈现与大鼠动情周期雌激素水平波动的一致性,即动情期时摄取高岭土量最多。结论：大鼠动情周期雌激素水平的升高可能在一定程度上会加重大鼠的晕动病反应。可为进一步探讨雌激素水平与晕动病易感性之间的关系提供参考,从而也可能为发现晕动病新病因的研究打下基础,还可能为晕动病预防策略和措施启发新的应用价值。     

增龄对大鼠输卵管粘膜上皮糖蛋白的影响

目的揭示增龄对大鼠输卵管粘膜上皮糖蛋白的影响.方法分别以5只1月龄、8月龄和18月龄健康雌性SD大鼠作为性成熟前期组(IMG)、性成熟期组(MG)和更年期组(CMG).取输卵管石蜡切片,然后进行PAS及PAS-阿尔新蓝染色.结果①PAS反应显示:峡部粘膜上皮阳性反应明显,三组阳性产物平均光密度值相比,MG与IMG、CMG间差异有高度显著性(P<0.01).②PAS-阿尔新蓝染色显示:峡部粘膜皱襞处上皮细胞游离面有少量淡蓝色阳性产物出现,三组间淡蓝色阳性产物未见明显差异.结论大鼠输卵管峡部粘膜上皮能合成和分泌两种蛋白质:中性糖蛋白和酸性糖蛋白.增龄对大鼠输卵管峡部粘膜上皮中性糖蛋白的合成和分泌有明显的影响,对酸性糖蛋白无明显影响.     

P物质对兔离体输卵管峡部平滑肌活动的影响

本文在离体状态下观察P物质对不同性激素状态兔输卵管峡部平滑肌活动的影响。动物分成动情组、间情组、去卵巢组。实验结果:(1)P物质对间情兔输卵管峡部平滑肌的收缩有明显的抑制作用。(2)P物质对动情兔和去卵巢兔输卵管峡部平滑肌的收缩没有影响。结果表明P物质对不同性激素状态下的兔输卵管峡部平滑肌的作用不一致。     

动情周期中大鼠输卵管上皮凝集素受体的研究

大鼠动情周期包括动情前期（ＰＥ）、动情期（Ｅ）、动脉后期（ＭＥ）和动情间期（ＤＥ）。采用生物素标记的５种凝集素（ＣｏｎＡ、ＰＮＡ、ＲＣＡ、ＵＥＡ－Ｉ以及ＷＧＡ）对大鼠动情周期中输卵管上皮细胞的凝集素受体进行了研究,发现在大鼠动情周期中输卵管粘膜上皮细胞凝集素受体均有不同程度的变化：其中,ＣｏｎＡ的阳性反应以ＰＥ组最强,ＤＥ组最弱（Ｐ＜０．０１）;ＰＮＡ的阳性反应以Ｅ组最强,ＤＥ组为阴性;ＲＣＡ的阳性反应强度以ＰＥ和Ｅ组最强,ＤＥ组最弱（Ｐ＜０．０１）;ＵＥＡ－Ⅰ的阳性反应颗粒可见于动情周期各期,但以ＰＥ组为强（Ｐ＜０．０１）,其它各期间的反应强度差异无显著性（Ｐ＞０．０５）;ＷＧＡ的阳性反应以ＤＥ组最强,与其它各组比较,差异有高度显著性（Ｐ＜０．０１）,其它各组之间阳性反应强度差异无显著性（Ｐ＞０．０５）。说明输卵管上皮细胞的糖组分在动情周期中发生了某些变化。推测这些变化有利于输卵管功能活动的进行     

Sperm migration into and through the oviduct following artificial insemination at different stages of the estrous cycle in the rat

In order to examine whether sperm migration into and through the oviduct follows an invariable pattern or is subject to regulation, rats in proestrus, estrus, metestrus, or diestrus were inseminated in the upper third of each uterine horn with 10-20 million epididymal spermatozoa. Three or eight hours later, the numbers of spermatozoa free and adhering to the epithelium in the ampullary and isthmic segments were determined. A significantly higher number of spermatozoa were recovered in estrus than in other stages, at 3 h than at 8 h, and at all stages from the isthmus than from the ampulla. Spermatozoa adhering to the epithelium were observed only in proestrus and estrus and in the isthmus. The effect of exogenous estradiol-17beta (E2) and progesterone (P4) on sperm migration was investigated in rats in which the estrous cycle was inhibited pharmacologically. E2 facilitated sperm migration into the oviduct and P4 antagonized this effect, whereas P4 alone had no effect. Concomitant treatment with E2+P4 induced adhesion of spermatozoa to the oviductal epithelium. In conclusion, the pattern of sperm migration into and through the rat oviduct varies with the stage of the cycle, being dependent on E2 and P4. The adhesion of spermatozoa to the rat oviductal epithelium is stage- and segment-specific and requires the combined action of both hormones.     

Functional expression of cystic fibrosis transmembrane conductance regulator in rat oviduct epithelium

The aim of this study was to investigate the functional expression of cystic fibrosis transmembrane conductance regulator (CFTR) with electrophysiological and molecular technique in rat oviduct epithelium. In whole-cell patch clamp, oviduct epithelial cells responded to 100 microM 8-bromoadenosine 3',5'-cyclic monophosphate (8-Br-cAMP) with a rise in inward current in Gap-free mode, which was inhibited successively by 5 microM CFTR(inh)-172, a CFTR specific inhibitor, and 1 mM diphenylamine-2-carboxylate (DPC), the Cl- channel blocker. The cAMP-activated current exhibited a linear current-voltage (I-V) relationship and time- and voltage-independent characteristics. The reversal potentials of the cAMP-activated currents in symmetrical Cl- solutions were close to the Cl- equilibrium, 0.5+/-0.2 mV (n=4). When Cl- concentration in the bath solution was changed from 140 mM to 70 mM and a pipette solution containing 140 mM Cl- was used, the reversal potential shifted to a value close to the new equilibrium for Cl-, 20+/-0.6 mV (n=4), as compared with the theoretic value of 18.7 mV. In addition, mRNA expression of CFTR was also detected in rat oviduct epithelium. Western blot analysis showed that CFTR protein is found in the oviduct throughout the cycle with maximal expression at estrus, and immunofluorescence and immunohistochemistry analysis revealed that CFTR is located at the apical membrane of the epithelial cells. These results showed that the cAMP-activated Cl- current in the oviduct epithelium was characteristic of CFTR, which provided direct evidence for the functional expression of CFTR in the rat oviduct epithelium. CFTR may play a role in modulating fluid transport in the oviduct.     

Oviduct acid mucus glycoproteins in the estrous rabbit: ultrastructure and histochemistry

Epithelial glycoproteins are likely to be important in many aspects of reproduction. The rabbit oviduct produces mucus glycoproteins. This is indicated both by histochemistry and by gelation of a mucus coat around the rabbit ovum during its tubal transport. We report here that the production of highly acid mucus glycoprotein (apparently of the type that coast the ovum) is confined to the isthmus and, to a lesser extent, the mucosal crypts of the ampullary-isthmic junction; the ampulla is not involved. Using a method of perfusion-fixation that includes the polycation alcian blue in conjunction with glutaraldehyde to precipitate and stabilize glycoproteins, we have demonstrated that this mucus, at least in rabbits in estrus, occupies the isthmic lumen but not the ampullary lumen. Histochemistry shows that it is the electron-lucent secretory granules of the isthmus and ampullary-isthmic junction, but not the denser granules of the ampulla, that exhibit staining characteristics of highly-acid mucus glycoproteins. Important opportunities are likely to exist for interaction of this isthmic mucus with spermatozoa and with fertilized ova during their isthmic transport.     

Expression of KiSS-1 in rat oviduct: possible involvement in prevention of ectopic implantation?

The mammalian oviduct is a crucial site for essential postovulatory events in the female reproductive system. These events are, in part, accomplished by clear-cut oviductal segmentation, which helps to provide appropriate epithelial and fluid microenvironments. Early embryonic development and the timely transport of the embryo to the uterus must be promoted, but implantation within the oviduct itself must be avoided. Indeed, the rarity of extra-uterine pregnancies in laboratory animals strongly suggests that active mechanisms operate to prevent ectopic implantation. Kisspeptins, products of the KiSS-1 gene, have been proposed as physiological regulators of uterine implantation by limiting the invasion of the trophoblast into the maternal decidua. We describe here the patterns of expression of the KiSS-1 gene and of kisspeptin immunoreactivity (IR) in the rat oviduct. KiSS-1 mRNA is readily detectable in oviduct samples from all phases of the estrous cycle, whereas kisspeptin-IR is detected in rat oviduct with a regionalized pattern of distribution, viz., strong expression in the isthmus, faint signals in the proximal ampulla, and a lack of immunostaining in the fimbriated infundibulum and interstitial portion. When positive, IR has been localized at the adluminal surface and the cytoplasmic domain of secretory cells. Of note, KiSS-1 expression (at the mRNA and protein levels) shows cycle-related changes with peak expression in proestrus/estrus and lower levels at metestrus/diestrus. This knowledge of the regional- and cycle-specific pattern of expression of KiSS-1 in rat oviduct should open up the possibility of a physiological role of kisspeptins in the prevention of ectopic (tubal) implantation. This work was supported by grants BFU 2005-01443 and BFU 2005-07446 (Ministerio de Educacion y Ciencia, Spain), by funds from the Instituto de Salud Carlos III (Red de Centros RCMN C03/08 and Project PI042082; Ministerio de Sanidad, Spain), and by EU research contract EDEN QLK4-CT-2002-00603. M.T.-S. is also supported by grants from the CIBER Fisiopatología de la Obesidad y Nutrición (CB06/03/0003; Instituto de Salud Carlos III) of which he is a member.     

Monosaccharides are not detected in whole or isthmic bovine oviductal fluid collected throughout the estrous cycle, as analyzed by HPLC

In the bovine oviduct, monosaccharides may play a role in the preparation of gametes for fertilization. Sperm are sequestered in the isthmic region of the oviduct where capacitation, requisite biochemical changes in sperm membranes, may take place. Retention of spermatozoa in the oviductal isthmus is dependent on a carbohydrate recognition system between oviductal epithelium and sperm membrane lectins. The monosaccharide, fucose, has been found to be important to this recognition system. However, both gametes and epithelium are also bathed in oviductal fluid (ODF), and fucose or other monosaccharides may be constituents of ODF and so may be important to sperm binding to oviductal epithelium and subsequent preparation for fertilization. In this study, ODF from dairy cows was analyzed by HPLC for the presence of 5 monosaccharides (fucose, galactose, glucosamine, mannose and xylose). Both whole ODF, collected by cannulation of the entire oviduct of 1 cow over a complete estrous cycle, and regional staged ODF, collected and pooled from 13 cows from the isthmic region only at estrus, were analyzed. We report negligible concentrations of all 5 monosaccharides in both types of ODF analyzed. Because the detection limit of our assay was 10(8) times lower than fucose concentrations found to be physiologically important in earlier in vitro studies, we conclude that bovine ODF does not contain physiologically active levels of free fucose or other, similar monosaccharides at any time of the estrous cycle.     

Equine chorionic gonadotropin increases estradiol levels in the bovine oviduct and drives the transcription of genes related to fertilization in superstimulated cows

In the bovine oviduct, estradiol (E2) stimulates secretion and cell proliferation, whereas progesterone (P4) suppresses them. In this study, we have evaluated the effect of two superstimulatory protocols (follicle‐stimulating hormone [FSH] or FSH combined with equine chorionic gonadotropin [eCG]) on the oviductal levels of E2 and P4 and its outcome on oviductal cells. Compared with the control group (a single pre‐ovulatory follicle), we have observed that the cows submitted to FSH/eCG treatment showed a higher concentration of E2 in the oviduct tissue, together with a higher abundance of messenger RNA encoding steroid receptors (ESR1 and progesterone receptor), and genes linked to gamete interactions and regulation of polyspermy (oviduct‐specific glycoprotein 1, heat‐shock protein family A member 5, α‐l ‐fucosidase 1 [FUCA1], and FUCA2) in the infundibulum and ampulla segments of the oviduct. However, we did not observe any modulation of gene expression in the isthmus segment. Even though the FSH protocol upregulated some of the genes analyzed, we may infer that the steady effect of FSH combined with eCG on oviduct regulation might benefit fertilization and may potentially increase pregnancy rates.     

Sex steroid receptor expression in the oviduct and uterus of sheep with estrus synchronized with progestagen or prostaglandin analogues

The objective of this study was to investigate differences in the expression of estrogen receptor-alpha (ERalpha), progesterone receptor (PR) and the proliferative indexes (Ki-67), in the uterus and oviduct of sheep with estrus synchronized either by prostaglandin analogues (Group PA, n=27) or by treatment with progestagens (Group P, n=29) on days 4 and 7 (day 0=estrus), when the embryos were collected. Immunohistochemical methods were used to quantify ERalpha, PR and Ki-67 in six superficial and deep compartments in the uterus and oviduct. The expression of ERalpha was significantly (P<0.01) lower in progestagen treated ewes than in prostaglandin analogues treated group in the luminal epithelium, superficial glands and superficial stroma in the uterus on day 4. The expression of PR was significantly lower in progesterone treated ewes than in the PA Group in the superficial gland (P<0.05) in both days studied. The lowest expression of PR was observed in the luminal caruncular epithelium and superficial glands in both treatments, obtaining the lowest levels on day 4 (P<0.05). There were significant differences between days 4 and 7 in the Ki-67 immunostaining in the luminal epithelium (P<0.01) and superficial glands (P<0.05). A higher cell proliferation was observed in the uterine epithelium (P<0.05) on day 4 in the animals treated with progestagens. Results indicate that sheep with synchronization of estrus with progestagens showed a reduction of ERalpha and PR protein expression in most of oviductal and uterine cells.