PTX3 plays a key role in the organization of the cumulus oophorus extracellular matrix and in in vivo fertilization.

PTX3 plays a key role in the organization of the cumulus oophrus extracellular matrix and in in vivo fertilization

Follicular fluid levels of the long pentraxin PTX3.

OBJECTIVE Pentraxin-3 (PTX3) is a long pentraxin that plays a key role in female fertility as a structural and essential constituent of the cumulus oophorus extracellular matrix. Despite considerable evidence supporting this role of PTX3 in mice, data in humans are scanty. The aim of the present study was (1) to evaluate follicular fluid concentrations of PTX3; (2) to test the hypothesis that l...

Pentraxin 3: An Immuno-Regulator in the Lungs

Pentraxin 3 (PTX3) is a soluble pattern recognition receptor that is a humoral component of the innate immune system. It interacts with pathogenic moieties, infected and dying host cells and facilitates their removal through activation of appropriate innate and adaptive mechanisms. PTX3 is secreted by a diverse variety of cells, ranging from immune cells to structural cells, in response to Toll...

Establishment of a capillary-cumulus model to study the selection of sperm for fertilization by the cumulus oophorus.

BACKGROUND Spermatozoa have to traverse the cumulus oophorus before fertilization in vivo. Evidence suggests that the cumulus oophorus plays an important role in the fertilization process. We describe the establishment of a capillary-cumulus oophorus model with which to study the action of cumulus mass on the function of human spermatozoa. METHODS Human cumulus oophorus was aspirated into a g...

P-110: Effect of Increasing Amount of Oocyte Secreted Factors on Cumulus Expansion of Bovine Cumulus-Oocyte Complexes

Background: In vitro maturation is a good method to decrease cancer risk of superovulation by gonadotropin hormones. A paracrine effect of oocyte secretions on oocyte developmental competence is under investigation. Apart from oocyte maturation, ovulation in vivo requires a precise control of extracellular matrix modification. Cumulus cells secrete hyaluronan to form a muco-elastic extracellula...