Sex Steroid-Mediated Control of Oviductal Function in Cattle

Abstract

In cattle, the oviduct is a tubular organ that connects the ovary and the uterus. The oviduct lumen stages a dynamic set of cellular and molecular interactions to fulfill the noble role of generating a new individual. Specific anatomical niches along the oviduct lumen provide the appropriate microenvironment for final sperm capacitation, oocyte capture and fertilization, and early embryo development and transport. To accomplish such complex tasks, the oviduct undergoes spatially and temporally-regulated morphological, biochemical, and physiological changes that are associated with endocrine events of the estrous cycle. Specifically, elevated periovulatory concentrations of estradiol (E2) and progesterone (P4) influence gene expression and morphological changes that have been associated positively to fertility in beef cattle. In this review, we explore how E2 and P4 influence oviductal function in the beginning of the estrous cycle, and prepare the oviductal lumen for interactions with gametes and embryos.

Extracellular vesicles from oviductal isthmus and ampulla stimulate the induced acrosome reaction and signaling events associated with capacitation in bovine spermatozoa

“…26,27 The oviduct is divided into two main parts: the isthmus and the ampulla, exhibiting histological, anatomical, and physiological differences, which vary greatly according to the hormonal cycle. 28 Considering the physiology of the gametes, the isthmus is associated with sperm capacitation and transport to the ampulla, while the latter is responsible for transporting the egg to the fertilization site and receiving spermatozoa, providing the environment for fertilization. 29 Hence, the oviduct isthmus and ampulla are different enough to assume that they may have specific functions for gamete preparation, transport, and encounter.…”

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

“…Steroid hormones exert their effects through their intracellular receptors via a classical mechanism involving members of the nuclear receptor superfamily, namely estrogen receptor α and β (ERα and ERβ) and the progesterone receptor (PGR), which are transcribed from three genes: ESR1 , ESR2 , and PGR , respectively (Binelli et al, ). E2 stimulation upregulated only ESR1 and PGR but not ESR2 (Kowalik, Martyniak, Rekawiecki, & Kotwica, ; Lee & Gorski, , ; Ulbrich et al, ).…”

“…The steroid hormones, estradiol (E2) and progesterone (P4), are the main factors controlling changes in the oviduct (Binelli et al, ). Temporal changes in steroid concentrations during the estrous cycle induce modulation of the oviductal transcriptional profile (Bauersachs et al, ; Binelli et al, ; Cerny, Garrett, Walton, Anderson, & Bridges, ).…”

“…The steroid hormones, estradiol (E2) and progesterone (P4), are the main factors controlling changes in the oviduct (Binelli et al, ). Temporal changes in steroid concentrations during the estrous cycle induce modulation of the oviductal transcriptional profile (Bauersachs et al, ; Binelli et al, ; Cerny, Garrett, Walton, Anderson, & Bridges, ). In general, E2 activity is associated with the stimulation of oviductal secretory cells, and cell proliferation, whereas P4 exhibits a suppressive effect (Binelli et al, ; Gonella‐Diaza et al, ).…”

“…Temporal changes in steroid concentrations during the estrous cycle induce modulation of the oviductal transcriptional profile (Bauersachs et al, ; Binelli et al, ; Cerny, Garrett, Walton, Anderson, & Bridges, ). In general, E2 activity is associated with the stimulation of oviductal secretory cells, and cell proliferation, whereas P4 exhibits a suppressive effect (Binelli et al, ; Gonella‐Diaza et al, ). A detrimental effect of supra‐physiological P4 concentrations in the female reproductive tract as a result of ovarian superstimulation (OVS) protocols has been reported in cows (Forde et al, ; Gad et al, ; Roque et al, ).…”