The oviduct plays an essential role in the mammalian reproduction and it undergoes significant endocrine-induced morphological, biochemical and physiological changes during the sexual cycle. Glycoproteins are involved in the cell-to-cell interaction as well as in the constitution of the luminal microenvironment within the oviduct. The objective of the present study was to investigate the morphological and oligosaccharide changes occurring in the apical surface of the infundibulum epithelium of mares during oestrus and anoestrus. Infundibulum fragments from two oestrus (with a follicle > 35 mm) and two anoestrus mares were processed for scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and for lectin histochemistry. SEM evidenced apical protrusions in non-ciliated cells scattered along the epithelium during the oestrus stage. Lectin binding showed a stronger labelling of luminal surface with MAL II, SNA, PNA, DBA, HPA, Con A, sialidase-WGA, GSA I-B4, GSA II and LTA during oestrus than in anaoestrus. In addition, PNA, DBA and SBA showed an increased affinity after neuraminidase digestion during oestrus. These results demonstrate a higher presence of Neu5acα2,3Galβ1,4GlcNAc, Neu5Acα2,6Gal/GalNAc, Galβ1,3GalNAc, Neu5AcGalβ1,3GalNAc, Forssman pentasaccharide, Neu5AcForssman pentasaccharide, αGalNAc, αMan, βGlcNAc, αGal and αL-Fuc during oestrus than in anoestrus. The morphological and carbohydrate changes suggest that the infundibulum activity of the mare oviduct is related to oestrogen fluctuations occurring during the sexual cycle.
Oestrus and anoestrus changes of morphology and glycoconjugates in the apical surface of the infundibulum of mare oviducts
DESANTIS, Salvatore;VENTRIGLIA G;
2006-01-01
Abstract
The oviduct plays an essential role in the mammalian reproduction and it undergoes significant endocrine-induced morphological, biochemical and physiological changes during the sexual cycle. Glycoproteins are involved in the cell-to-cell interaction as well as in the constitution of the luminal microenvironment within the oviduct. The objective of the present study was to investigate the morphological and oligosaccharide changes occurring in the apical surface of the infundibulum epithelium of mares during oestrus and anoestrus. Infundibulum fragments from two oestrus (with a follicle > 35 mm) and two anoestrus mares were processed for scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and for lectin histochemistry. SEM evidenced apical protrusions in non-ciliated cells scattered along the epithelium during the oestrus stage. Lectin binding showed a stronger labelling of luminal surface with MAL II, SNA, PNA, DBA, HPA, Con A, sialidase-WGA, GSA I-B4, GSA II and LTA during oestrus than in anaoestrus. In addition, PNA, DBA and SBA showed an increased affinity after neuraminidase digestion during oestrus. These results demonstrate a higher presence of Neu5acα2,3Galβ1,4GlcNAc, Neu5Acα2,6Gal/GalNAc, Galβ1,3GalNAc, Neu5AcGalβ1,3GalNAc, Forssman pentasaccharide, Neu5AcForssman pentasaccharide, αGalNAc, αMan, βGlcNAc, αGal and αL-Fuc during oestrus than in anoestrus. The morphological and carbohydrate changes suggest that the infundibulum activity of the mare oviduct is related to oestrogen fluctuations occurring during the sexual cycle.I documenti in IRIS sono protetti da copyright e tutti i diritti sono riservati, salvo diversa indicazione.
