Existence and function of the network system surrounding fertilization of relaxin and related peptides

2020 Fiscal Year Final Research Report

• Project/Area Number: 18H02327
• Research Category: Grant-in-Aid for Scientific Research (B)
• Allocation Type: Single-year Grants
• Section: 一般
• Review Section: Basic Section 42010:Animal production science-related
• Research Institution: Shizuoka University
• Principal Investigator: Kohsaka Tetsuya 静岡大学, 農学部, 特任教授 (10186611)
• Project Period (FY): 2018-04-01 – 2021-03-31
• Keywords: リラキシン / INSL3 / RXFP1 / RXFP2 / Ovary / Sperm / Fertilization

Outline of Final Research Achievements

This study was to grasp the role of relaxin (RLN) and its related peptide (insulin-like factor 3, INSL3) expressed in porcine ovaries in relation to reproductive processes surrounding fertilization, and to investigate the existence of these network systems and their crosstalk mechanisms, and to demonstrate the existence of these network systems and the mechanism of crosstalk. We found that RLN can function as a novel factor that regulates physiological inflammation in the uterus during mating, contribute to ovulation by activating proteolytic cascade molecules during ovulation, and stimulate sperm capacitation during fertilization, while INSL3 can stimulate adhesion and fusion with the oocyte by upregulating E-cadherin, suggesting that RLN and INSL3 are closely involved in reproductive processes surrounding fertilization.

Free Research Field

動物生殖生理学

Academic Significance and Societal Importance of the Research Achievements

本研究はリラキシン（RLN）とその関連因子（INSL3）の受精を取り巻くネットワークシステムの存在とその役割を解明したものである。交尾時の子宮の生理的炎症反応では、RLNがその制御を担う新たな因子として期待できる。排卵過程では、RLNが卵胞破裂を刺激する誘導因子としての、さらに、受精の場においては、RLNまたはINSL3が精子の受精能獲得を誘起し、精子・卵子の接着・融合を調節する鍵分子としての位置付けを明白にした。これらは、家畜生産の高度化を図り、新しい繁殖技術の創生を導くと共に、ヒトの生殖医療にも大きく貢献できる重要な基盤的研究でもあり、他に追随を許さない独創的研究である。