Effect of nitric oxide synthase inhibitors on ovum transport and oviductal smooth muscle activity in the rat oviduct

The effect of the inhibition of nitric oxide synthase (NOS) on ovum transport and oviductal motility in rats was investigated. Three different NOS inhibitors were injected into the ovarian bursa at oestrus or day 3 of pregnancy. Oviducts and uteri were flushed 24 h later and the presence of ova was recorded. In oestrous and pregnant rats, treatment resulted in accelerated egg transport, as shown by a decrease in the number of ova present in the oviducts. In cyclic rats, intrabursal injection of 1 mg kg-1 of either N-monomethyl-L-arginine (L-NMMA) or N omega nitro-L-arginine methyl ester (L-NAME) elicited a 30% reduction in the number of ova present in the oviducts, whereas in pregnant animals, the same dose of L-NMMA produced a reduction of 40%. Simultaneous administration of the NO donor spermine NONOate (5 mg kg-1) completely reversed the effect of L-NMMA. Tubal motility was assessed by microsphere displacement analysis within the oviduct. Surrogate ova were transferred to the oviductal lumen at oestrus and 24 h later the effect of intraoviductal injection of 1 microgram L-NMMA or vehicle was assessed. The microspheres in the isthmus showed an oscillating motion, and periods in which movement was not detectable. However, L-NMMA treatment produced a 3.6-fold increase in the maximum instant velocities and a significant reduction in the resting periods of the microspheres compared with the control group (P < 0.001). These results provide evidence that NO inhibition increases tubal motility that results in accelerated ovum transport, and indicate that NO could act as a paracrine signal between different layers of the oviductal wall, providing a role for endogenous NO in regulation of tubal function.     

Differential lectin binding patterns in the oviductal ampulla of the horse during oestrus

We investigated the oligosaccharide sequence of glycoconjugates, mainly sialoglycoconjugates, in the horse oviductal ampulla during oestrus by means of lectin and pre-lectin methods such as the KOH-neuraminidase procedure to remove sialic acid residues and incubation with N-glycosidase F to cleave N-linked glycans. Ciliated cells displayed N-linked oligosaccharides throughout the cytoplasm. The cilia glycocalyx expressed both N- and O-linked (mucin-type) oligosaccharides, both showing a high variety of terminal sequences. In the most non-ciliated cells, the whole cytoplasm contained N-linked oligosaccharides with terminal alphaGal as well as mucin-type glycans with terminal Forssman pentasaccharides. In a few scattered non-ciliated cells, the whole cytoplasm displayed sialylated N-linked oligosaccharides with terminal Neu5Ac-GalNAc and O-linked glycans terminating with neutral and/or alphaGalNAc, Neu5Ac alpha2,6Gal/GalNAc, Neu5AcGal beta1,3GalNAc. Supra-nuclear granules, probably Golgi zones, of non-ciliated cells showed mainly O-linked glycans rich in sialic acid residues. The luminal surface of non-ciliated cells showed N-linked oligosaccharides, containing terminal/internal alphaMan/alphaGlc, betaGlcNAc and terminal alphaGal, as well as mucin-type oligosaccharides terminating with a large variety of either neutral saccharides or sialylated sequences. Apical protrusions containing O-linked oligosaccharides with terminal Forssman pentasaccharide, Neu5Ac-Gal beta1,4GlcNAc, Neu5Ac-GalNAc were seen in non-ciliated cells scattered along the epithelium. These findings show the presence of sialoglycoconjugates in the oviductal ampulla epithelium of the mare and the existence of different lectin binding profiles between ciliated and non-ciliated (secretory) cells, as well as the presence of non-ciliated cell sub-types which might determine functional differences along the ampullary epithelium of mare oviduct.     

Increased Rho activation and PKC-mediated smooth muscle contractility in the absence of caveolin-1

Caveolae are omega-shaped membrane invaginations that are abundant in smooth muscle cells. Since many receptors and signaling proteins co-localize with caveolae, these have been proposed to integrate important signaling pathways. The aim of this study was to test whether RhoA/Rho-kinase and protein kinase C (PKC)-mediated Ca²⁺ sensitization depends on caveolae using caveolin (Cav)-1-deficient (KO) and wild-type (WT) mice. In WT smooth muscle, caveolae were detected and Cav-1, -2 and -3 proteins were expressed. Relative mRNA expression levels were 15:1:1 for Cav-1, -2, and -3, respectively. Caveolae were absent in KO and reduced levels of Cav-2 and Cav-3 proteins were seen. In intact ileum longitudinal muscle, no differences in the responses to 5-HT or the muscarinic agonist carbachol were found, whereas contraction elicited by endothelin-1 was reduced. Rho activation by GTPS was increased in KO compared with WT as shown using a pull-down assay. Following -toxin permeabilization, no difference in Ca²⁺ sensitivity or in Ca²⁺ sensitization was detected. In KO femoral arteries, phorbol 12,13-dibutyrate (PDBu)-induced and PKC-mediated contraction was increased. This was associated with increased ₁-adrenergic contraction. Following inhibition of PKC, ₁-adrenergic contraction was normalized. PDBu-induced Ca²⁺ sensitization was not increased in permeabilized femoral arteries. In conclusion, Rho activation, but not Ca²⁺ sensitization, depends on caveolae in the ileum. Moreover, PKC driven arterial contraction is increased in the absence of caveolin-1. This depends on an intact plasma membrane and is not associated with altered Ca²⁺ sensitivity. Ca²⁺ sensitization; Rho-associated kinase; myosin phosphatase target protein; lipid rafts; CPI-17; G protein-coupled receptor     

Embryo-initiated oviductal transport in mares.

The hypothesis that equine embryos initiate oviductal transport in mares was tested by placing day 6 uterine embryos in the oviducts of day 2 (n = 10) or day 5 (n = 10) recipient mares and attempting to collect the embryos from the uterus 48 h later. To determine whether the surgical transfer procedure initiated oviductal transport, medium alone was placed in the oviducts of day 2 (n = 10) inseminated mares (sham transfer), and uterine embryo collections were attempted 48 h later. Embryos were transported through the oviduct of day 2 recipients by day 4 (instead of day 5 to 6) in six of ten mares, which was not significantly less (P greater than 0.1) than in day 5 recipients (9 of 10). Oviductal transport was not primarily initiated by the surgical transfer procedure, since oviductal transport occurred in only one sham transfer. There was no significant difference (P greater than 0.1) in the diameter of embryos placed in the oviducts of day 2 and day 5 recipient mares (180 +/- 13.8 versus 187 +/- 11.3 microns, respectively). However, embryos collected from the uterus were significantly smaller (P less than 0.05) in day 2 than in day 5 recipients (375 +/- 85.4 versus 659 +/- 43.6 microns, respectively). One uterine embryo had shed its zona pellucida before being placed in, and transported through, the oviduct of the recipient mare.     

Temperature dependence of rat diaphragm muscle contractility and fatigue

The diaphragm is a skeletal muscle of mixed fiber type that is unique in its requirement to maintain contractile function and fatigue resistance across a wide range of temperatures to sustain alveolar ventilation under conditions of hypo- or hyperthermia. The direct effect of temperature (15-41 degrees C) on rat diaphragm isometric contractility and fatigue was determined in vitro. As temperature decreased from 37 to 15 degrees C, contraction and relaxation times increased, and there was a left shift of the diaphragm's force-frequency curve, with decreased contractility at 41 and 15 degrees C. Fatigue was induced by 10 min of stimulation with 30 trains/min of 5 Hz at a train duration of 900 ms. Compared with 37 degrees C, fatigue resistance was enhanced at 25 degrees C, but no difference in fatigue indexes was evident at extreme hypothermia (15 degrees C) or hyperthermia (41 degrees C). Only when the fatigue program was adjusted to account for hypothermia-induced increases in tension-time indexes was fatigue resistance evident at 15 degrees C. These findings indicate that despite the diaphragm's unique location as a core structure, necessitating exposure to in vivo temperatures higher than found in limb muscle, the temperature dependence of rat diaphragm muscle contractility and fatigue is similar to that reported for limb muscle of mixed fiber type.     

Accelerated ovum transport in rabbits induced by endotoxin II. Changes in oviductal smooth muscle activity

Oviductal mortility, measured with open-ended perfused catheters in anesthetized animals injected with human Chorionic Gonadotropin (hCG), is depressed 2 h following endotoxin injection and returns to control levels by 3 h after endotoxin injection. This decrease in motility is prevented by indomethacin. Endotoxin did not affect spontaneous or phenylephrine (PE)-induced contractions of oviduct when it was added to the bathing medium of in vitro tissues. Oviductal segments removed 2 h after endotoxin (26 h after hCG) showed electrical activity confined to the ampullary-isthmic-junction (AIJ), where ova were located; the dose-response curve for PE was shifted to the right and the maximum contraction was depressed. Activity of tissues removed 4 h after endotoxin more closely resembled control tissues except that the maximum contraction to PE was depressed, ova had passed out of the oviduct and a proovarian bias in the isthmus was not present. The response of the oviduct to prostaglandins (PGs) in vivo is critically dependent on the previous exposure to PGs. In endotoxin-treated animals PGE then PGF levels increase and the decrease in motility coincides with increased PGE levels, but accelerated ovum transport with the return of motility and activation of the isthmus.     

Accelerated ovum transport in rabbits induced by endotoxin II. Changes in oviductal smooth muscle activity

Oviductal motility, measured with open-ended perfused catheters in anesthetized animals injected with human Chorionic Gonadotropin (hCG), is depressed 2 h following endotoxin injection and returns to control levels by 3 h after endotoxin injection. This decrease in motility is prevented by indomethacin. Endotoxin did not affect spontaneous or phenylephrine (PE)-induced contractions of oviduct when it was added to the bathing medium of in vitro tissues. Oviductal segments removed 2 h after endotoxin (26 h after hCG) showed electrical activity confined to the ampullary-isthmic-junction (AIJ), where ova were located; the dose-response curve for PE was shifted to the right and the maximum contraction was depressed. Activity of tissues removed 4 h after endotoxin more closely resembled control tissues except that the maximum contraction to PE was depressed, ova had passed out of the oviduct and a proovarian bias in the isthmus was not present. The response of the oviduct to prostaglandins (PGs) in vivo is critically dependent on the previous exposure to PGs. In endotoxin-treated animals PGE then PGF levels increase and the decrease in motility coincides with increased PGE levels, but accelerated ovum transport with the return of motility and activation of the isthmus.     

辣椒素对离体大鼠胃平滑肌收缩性的影响

目的:考察辣椒素对离体大鼠胃平滑肌收缩性的影响。方法:本研究以大鼠的离体胃平滑肌条为模型,首先考察在正常钙克氏液、高钙克氏液和低钙克氏液中辣椒素对胃平滑肌收缩作用的影响。然后正常克氏液中,分别观察辣椒素对乙酰胆碱、新斯的明、阿托品分别存在下的胃平滑肌收缩性的影响。结果:辣椒素在2.5μmol/L-40μmol/L浓度范围内可剂量依赖性显著抑制高钙溶液(Ca2 终浓度5μmol/L)引起的大鼠胃平滑肌强烈收缩,在5μmol/L-40μmol/L浓度范围内可显著抑制正常克氏液中大鼠胃平滑肌条的运动,且具有明显剂量依赖性,在10μmol/L-40μmol/L浓度范围内可显著抑制低钙克氏液中大鼠胃平滑肌条的运动,且具有剂量依赖性。辣椒素(10μmol/L)可拮抗乙酰胆碱和新斯的明引起的收缩作用(P<0.01)。辣椒素(10μmol/L)的作用与阿托品具有相加作用(P<0.01)。结论:辣椒素对胃平滑肌的收缩具有明显的抑制作用。     

Inhibitory effect of GnRH on isolated rat uterine muscle contractility

The effect of GnRH upon uterine contractions of both non-pregnant and pregnant rats was examined in vitro. In the non-pregnant rat uterus, GnRH inhibited in a concentration-and-time dependent manner the contractions induced by acetylcholine and oxytocin, but not those caused by bradykinin and angiotensin II. GnRH also inhibited the rhythmic contractions induced by oxytocin in uterine strips from late pregnant rats. These findings show that GnRH has a direct inhibitory effect on the rat uterine contractions, suggesting that GnRH-like substances may exert modulatory influences upon rat uterine contractility.     

Postnatal development of the rat oviductal epithelium

Submicroscopic examination of rat oviducts in the early postnatal period showed that the character of the epithelium remained relatively indifferent up to the 6th day. Typical findings in this phase include an apical migration of the centrioles, with subsequent formation of solitary cilia; ciliated cells were an isolated occurrence. Ciliogenesis in the rat oviductal epithelium starts between the 8th and the 10th day. A continuous kinociliary apparatus is formed on the basis of centriole replication. The first secretory and peg cells appear towards the end of the second week.     

Chronic muscle stimulation increases lactate transport in rat skeletal muscle

The aim of this study was to examine the effects of chronic low frequency stimulation on the lactate transport across the plasma membrane of the tibialis anterior (TA) muscle of the rat. Stimulating electrodes were implanted on either side of the peroneal nerve in one hindlimb. Chronic stimulation (10 Hz, 50 psec bursts, 24 h/day) commenced 7 days after surgery, and were continued for 7 days. Animals were then left for 24 h, and thereafter muscles were obtained. Cytochrome C-oxidase activity was increased 1.9-fold in the stimulated TA compared to the control TA (p < 0.05). Lactate transport (zero-trans) was measured in giant sarcolemmal vesicles obtained from the chronically stimulated TA and the control TA. At each of the concentrations used in these studies a significant increase in lactate transport was observed: 2.8-fold increase at 1 mM lactate p < 0.05); 2-fold increases at both 30 mM and 50 mM lactate p < 0.05). These studies have shown that lactate transport capacity is markedly increased in response to chronic muscle contraction.     

Aberrant cannabinoid signaling impairs oviductal transport of embryos

Ectopic pregnancy is a major reproductive health issue. Although other underlying causes remain largely unknown, one cause of ectopic pregnancy is embryo retention in the fallopian tube. Here we show that genetic or pharmacologic silencing of cannabinoid receptor CB1 causes retention of a large number of embryos in the mouse oviduct, eventually leading to pregnancy failure. This is reversed by isoproterenol, a beta-adrenergic receptor agonist. Impaired oviductal embryo transport is also observed in wild-type mice treated with methanandamide. Collectively, the results suggest that aberrant cannabinoid signaling impedes coordinated oviductal smooth muscle contraction and relaxation crucial to normal oviductal embryo transport. Colocalization of CB1 and beta2-adrenergic receptors in the oviduct muscularis implies that a basal endocannabinoid tone in collaboration with adrenergic receptors coordinates oviductal motility for normal journey of embryos into the uterus. Besides uncovering a new regulatory mechanism, this study could be clinically relevant to ectopic pregnancy.     

Dexamethasone inhibits endotoxin-induced changes in calcium and contractility in rat isolated papillary muscle

This study investigates whether endotoxin-induced contractile dysfunction is associated with a defect in the modulation of calcium homeostasis and the potential mechanisms involved. Treatment of rats in vivo with endotoxin significantly decreased the magnitude of contractile transients in electrically stimulated left ventricular papillary muscle isolated after an equilibration period of 6 hours. Although no significant difference was found in the peak intracellular calcium concentration ([Ca2+]i) between the endotoxin-treated and control groups, resting [Ca2+]i) was significantly elevated in the endotoxin-treated group, producing a smaller Ca2+ transient (basal-peak difference) in this group. Pretreatment of rats with dexamethasone prevented the endotoxin-induced decrease in peak tension and inhibited the elevation in resting [Ca2+]i, with a resultant maintenance of Ca2+ transient magnitude. Similar observations were made during stimulation of the muscles by the beta-adrenoceptor agonist, isoprenaline. These results show that endotoxin-induced reduction of cardiac contractile performance is mediated, at least in part, by elevating resting [Ca2+]i, and a glucocorticoid protected from these negative effects. While endotoxin reduces the magnitude of the Ca2+ transient it does not alter peak [Ca2+]i availability. Further investigation is required to determine whether endotoxin decreases contractile performance by reducing the sensitivity of cardiac myofilaments to calcium.     

Effects of stress upon plasma estradiol and progesterone levels and the rate of oviductal embryo transport in the rat.

The possibility that changes in sex steroid levels associated with stress could alter the rate of oviductal embryo transport was investigated in the rat. To this end, the effect of cold-swimming and cold-restraint upon estradiol (E2) and progesterone (P) serum levels and embryo transport were assessed. Swimming in water at 16 degrees C for 10 min two or four times between 16:00 and 22:00 h on day 3 of pregnancy caused a modest acceleration of embryo transport that was not associated with decreased fertility. Restraint at 10 degrees C for 2 h between 13:00 and 15:00 h on the first 4 days of pregnancy did not affect embryo transport. Both stimuli increased corticosterone serum levels. Cold-swimming produced a severe hypothermia as compared to cold-restraint and increased serum E2, decreasing significantly the ratio P/E2. Cold-restraint increased the P/E2 ratio. When rats swam in cold water for 10 min twice and were rewarmed by immersion in water at 38 degrees C during 20 min, embryo transport was accelerated despite that no changes occurred in the blood levels of sex steroids. It is concluded that oviductal embryo transport is minimally affected by stress in the rat and that the effect of acute immersion may be independent of alterations in circulating sex steroid levels.     

Effects of sulphapyridine on sperm transport through the rat epididymis and contractility of the epididymal duct

This study was undertaken to investigate the effects of sulphapyridine on the transport of spermatozoa through different regions of the epididymis and on the contractility of the epididymal duct in the rat. Sperm transport was investigated by labelling testicular spermatozoa with [3H]thymidine and measuring intraluminal pressures of the epididymis by micropuncture, using a servo-nulling pressure transducer system. In control rats, the transit times of epididymal spermatozoa from the initial segment to the caput, from the caput to the proximal cauda, and from the proximal cauda to the distal cauda were 2, 6 and 3 days, respectively, giving a total transit time of 11 days. The total transit time was shortened to 8 days after treatment with sulphapyridine at a dosage of 450 mg kg-1 for 38-52 days. The rate of sperm transport was most affected in the caput epididymidis. Measurements of intraluminal pressures showed that sulphapyridine had no effect on spontaneous contractions in any regions of the epididymis. However, the frequency of contraction of the corpus and cauda epididymides in response to administration of 10 micrograms noradrenaline kg-1 in the sulphapyridine-treated rats was significantly higher (P < 0.05) than it was in the controls. Methacholine, at a dose of 20 micrograms kg-1, produced a smaller increase in basal pressure in the caput epididymidis of sulphapyridine-treated rats (P < 0.05) compared with controls. The results led to the conclusion that sulphapyridine increases the rate of sperm transport from the caput through the cauda epididymidis, in part, by changes in the responsiveness of the epididymis to the autonomic nervous system.     

Effect of D20 on contractility and excitation contraction coupling in the rat papillary muscle]

D2O decreases the isometric contraction force of papillary muscles from the left ventricle of rats. This effect can be compensated only partially by increasing the calcium content in the perfusion solution. Differences in the effect of D2O under different calcium concentrations point also to an action site other than at the contractile proteins. The enlargement of the restitution of contraction 300 msec after the basic beat, the diminution of the postextrasystolic tiation and the disappearance of postextrasystolic depressions because of high calcium potencontent in the bathing solution make it more probable that the action site lies in cell compartments which may be involved into the supply of activator calcium. The increasing occurrence of aftercontractions alredy at slightly enhanced extracellular calcium is in good agreement with this fact.