How oocytes are transferred into an oviduct with a receptive environment remains poorly known. We found that glands of the Drosophila female reproductive tract, spermathecae and/or parovaria, are required for ovulation and to promote sperm storage. Reducing total secretory cell number by interferring with Notch signaling during development blocked ovulation. Knocking down expression after adult...

Cervical mucus thinning and release during the female reproductive cycle is thought to rely mainly on fluid secretion. However, we now find that mucus released from the murine reproductive tract critically depends upon concurrent bicarbonate (HCO(3)(-)) secretion. Prostaglandin E(2) (PGE(2))- and carbachol-stimulated mucus release was severely inhibited in the absence of serosal HCO(3)(-), HCO(...

Glycosaminoglycans (GAG) promote acrosome reactions (AR) in bovine and rabbit spermatozoa in vitro. Female bovine reproductive tract secretions contained GAG and the concentrations and composition of those GAG varied with different regions and stages of the estrous cycle. This study was designed to evaluate the types of GAG found in reproductive tract secretions of ewes at different stages of t...

Male infertility is a worldwide problem, as in about one in five infertile couples; the sole reason is the male partner. Amongst the various etiological factors responsible for male infertility, acute and chronic genital tract infections constitute a significant part. Different microorganisms have been linked with male infertility; with varying levels of association. These microorganisms have b...

The mammalian female reproductive tract develops from the Mullerian ducts which differentiate, in a cranial to caudal direction, into oviducts, uterine horns, cervix and the anterior vagina. The developmental processes taking place during this organogenesis are notably under the control of steroid hormones, such as members of the Wnt and Hox families, which regulate key developmental genes. At ...

-Diplocheila (lsorembus) cross;' new species, is described, from central and southeastern United States. Genitalic and internal female reproductive tract structures for Licinini are presented for exemplars of Dicaelina, Licinina and, Lestignathina. An evagination of the bursa common to Diplocheila and Dicaelus is a synapomorphy for Dicaelina. The spennatheca and appended gland in the subgenus I...