Demilune Cell and Parotid Protein from Murine Oviductal Epithelium Stimulates Preimplantation Embryo Development

Abstract

In mammals, fertilization and early preimplantation embryo development occur in the oviduct. We hypothesized that interaction exists between the developing embryos and the maternal genital tract, such that the embryos modulate the physiology and gene expression of the oviduct so that it is conducive to their development. By comparing the gene expression patterns in mouse oviducts containing transferred preimplantation embryos with those of oviducts containing oocytes, we report here the characterization of demilune cell and parotid protein (Dcpp), which was up-regulated in the embryo-containing oviduct. Dcpp mRNA was highly expressed in the oviductal epithelium at the estrus stage. The Dcpp gene codes for a protein of 150 amino acids and contains a signal peptide suggestive of secretory function. The Dcpp mRNA level was maintained in the oviductal epithelium of pregnant females but decreased continuously in those of pseudopregnant mice. Exogenous estrogen stimulated the expression of Dcpp mRNA and protein in ovariectomized mice. The effect was abolished by an estrogen antagonist, ICI 182,780. Dcpp protein was present in mouse oviductal fluid but not in uterine fluid. More importantly, Dcpp immunoreactivity was found in embryos recovered from the oviduct but not in mature oocytes from the ovary. Supplementation of Dcpp to culture medium stimulated the development of mouse embryos to the blastocyst stage. Anti-Dcpp antibody decreased the beneficial effect of Dcpp on implantation of two-cell mouse embryos transferred to the oviducts of the foster mothers. In summary, our data demonstrated that Dcpp is highly expressed in the oviductal lumen in the presence of preimplantation embryos. It stimulates the growth of preimplantation embryos and may play an important role in embryo-maternal dialogue.

Silencing or Amplification of Endocannabinoid Signaling in Blastocysts via CB1 Compromises Trophoblast Cell Migration

“…In addition, transcription factor Sp1, which is essential for early embryonic development (67), was down-regulated in Cnr1 Ϫ/Ϫ and Faah Ϫ/Ϫ blastocysts by 76 and 42%, respectively. Notably, expression of Dcpp1 (68) and Hormad1 (69), which play roles in embryo development, was also lower in Cnr1 Ϫ/Ϫ and Faah Ϫ/Ϫ blastocysts.…”

Oviductal secretion and gamete interaction

“…In addition, Lee et al (2005Lee et al ( , 2006 have analyzed the interaction between embryos and oviduct in mice and their results suggested that the presence of the embryo could affect the protein expression of the mouse oviductal epithelium, as shown for the phospholipid transfer protein (PLTP) and the demilune cell and parotid protein.…”

Regulation of complement‐3 protein expression in human and mouse oviducts

“…Using subtractive suppression hybridization, differential expression of a panel of genes including phospholipid transfer protein (Lee et al, 2005) and demilune cell parotid protein (Lee et al, 2006) were demonstrated between oviducts containing preimplantation embryos and those containing oocytes (Lee et al, 2002). It is not known whether preimplantation embryos would influence the production of oviductal C3.…”