The purpose of this investigation was to study the expression of type X collagen in the hen's oviduct. Type X collagen is a short-chain collagen that is present in the fibers of eggshell membranes, and there is evidence to suggest that it contributes to structural integrity. In situ hybridization and Northern blot analysis were used to study the expression of this important matrix constituent. ...

Estrogen regulates reproductive behavior and drives the proliferation and differentiation of several cell types. These physiological functions of estrogen are mediated by estrogen receptors (ERs), and each ER isoform plays a distinct role. To clarify the molecular mechanism of estrogen action and to evaluate the effect of ERs on the secretion of ovalbumin (OVA) in pigeon oviduct epithelial cell...

The full-length pigeon ovalbumin (OVA) gene cDNA was cloned and sequenced by reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) and rapid-amplification of cDNA ends. A 386-amino acid protein was predicted for the obtained sequence, which had 67% identity with the chicken protein. Similar to chicken OVA, the pigeon OVA gene is a non-inhibitory serine protease inhibitor. Quantitative PCR an...

Up to the present time the function and significance of the zona pellucida in the development of mammalian eggs has not been fully explained. Zona-free mouse eggs will develop in vitro from the 2-cell stage, or later, up to the blastocyst stage (Tarkowski, 1961; Mintz, 1962; Gwatkin, 1963). Single blastomeres isolated at the 2-cell (Mulnard, 1965), 4and 8-cell stage (Tarkowski & Wróblewska, 196...

Up to the present time the function and significance of the zona pellucida in the development of mammalian eggs has not been fully explained. Zona-free mouse eggs will develop in vitro from the 2-cell stage, or later, up to the blastocyst stage (Tarkowski, 1961; Mintz, 1962; Gwatkin, 1963). Single blastomeres isolated at the 2-cell (Mulnard, 1965), 4and 8-cell stage (Tarkowski & Wróblewska, 196...

We present evidence that conalbumin and transferrin, synthesized in chick oviduct and liver, respectively, are products of the same gene, but the gene is regulated differently in the two tissues. Conalbumin mRNA was purified 500-fold from hen oviduct by a combination of immunoprecipitation of polysomes, oligo(dT) chromatography, and sucrose gradient centrifugation. A cDNA complementary to conal...

An optoelectronic instrument, developed to record the muscular activity of the oviduct was used to monitor the effects of oxytocin on oviductal contractions in intact ewes. The transducer consisted of one light emitting diode opposed by two phototransistors and their associated lead wires molded into a "C" shaped cuff in a clear orthodontic resin. The resulting optoelectronic transducer was att...

REASON FOR PERFORMING STUDY Diagnostic techniques for oviductal obstruction in the mare are limited and development of a more reliable and direct method to assess oviductal patency is needed. OBJECTIVE To evaluate the feasibility of hysteroscopic selective hydrotubation of the equine oviduct via videoendoscopy in standing mares. METHODS Using a catheter inserted under endoscopic guidance in...

The oviduct functions in the transportation of gametes to the site of fertilization (the ampulla) and is the site of early embryonic development. Alterations of this early developmental environment, such as the presence of sexually transmitted pathogens, may affect oviduct function leading to reduced fertilization rates and contribute to compromised embryonic development. In this study, sperm i...

To investigate the relationship between photostimulation, ovary and oviduct weights, and oviductal sperm-storage tubule (SST) development and functional capacity, 33-week-old turkey hens were placed in four groups of 15 hens each. Each group was inseminated three times in 30 min with 50 x 10(6) spermatozoa (a total of 150 x 10(6) spermatozoa) on the day of photostimulation, or on Days 7, 14, or...