Snooping on a private conversation between the oviduct and gametes/embryos
2015
Alminana, Carmen
After a long journey travelling up the maternal tract the spermatozoa will meet the oocyte. As a result, an early embryo will promptly commence its development while travelling down the oviduct. These short but vital journeys of gametes and embryos are accompanied by important changes in the maternal tract. In particular, from the oviduct, which provides an optimal environment for gamete maturation and transport, fertilization and early embryo development. In fact, to achieve a successful pregnancy the oviduct should keep a fruitful dialogue with the gametes followed by an appropriate communication with the embryo(s). In the present review, the transcriptomic and proteomic changes induced by gametes and embryos in the oviduct as a result of this early dialogue will be reported. A special mention of the differential conversation between the oviduct and X and Y-chromosome-bearing spermatozoa, which might be at the basis of gender selection, will be provided. Subsequently, the ability of the embryo to modulate its own oviductal environment thus avoiding its maternal rejection will be discussed. Ultimately, a third player will be introduced in this dialogue, exosomes/microvesicles, which have been proposed as early mediators of these maternal-gamete/embryo interactions. Snooping on the private conversation between the oviduct and gametes/embryo may provide some molecular clues about the mechanisms that mediate these interactions. Moreover, knowing the genes and proteins that pilot the success of the early reproductive events will offer great opportunities for the improvement of assisted reproductive technologies and animal breeding efficiency.
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