Ultrastructure of oviduct from OVGP1-KO hamster

2022 Fiscal Year Final Research Report

• Project/Area Number: 20K09608
• Research Category: Grant-in-Aid for Scientific Research (C)
• Allocation Type: Multi-year Fund
• Section: 一般
• Review Section: Basic Section 56040:Obstetrics and gynecology-related
• Research Institution: Meiji University (2022); Juntendo University (2020)
• Principal Investigator: Yamatoya Kenji 明治大学, 研究・知財戦略機構(生田), 研究推進員 (80447309)
• Co-Investigator(Kenkyū-buntansha): 荒木 慶彦 順天堂大学, 大学院医学研究科, 先任准教授 (70250933)
• Project Period (FY): 2020-04-01 – 2023-03-31
• Keywords: 卵管 / OVGP1

Outline of Final Research Achievements

Oviducuctal glycoprotein OVGP1 KO female Syrian hamster were infertile due to preimplantation developmental abnormalities. The OVGP1 is supplied from secreting cells of oviducal epithelium to the lumen. Ovary transplant experiment showed that the OVGP1-KO Oocytes were normal since they developed in WT females. The abnormalities were due to the abnormal oviducal environment. Microvilli and cilia of oviducal epithelium seemed normal by transmission electron microscopy. However, zygotes from OVGP1-KO showed accumulation of organelles to the center and thin zona pellucida. Since in vitro fertilization can be performed, the responsible function of OVGP1 must be investigated.

Free Research Field

生殖生物学

Academic Significance and Societal Importance of the Research Achievements

OVGP1KOにおける雌性不妊が示す重要な点として、正常な卵であっても、雌性生殖管内因子の欠乏により発生異常をきたす事である。また、その時、卵管形態に異常は認められなかったことから、その不妊の原因を雌性生殖管の形態から知る事は困難である事を明らかにした。OVGP1欠損卵であっても、正常な雌性生殖器では発生可能であったことから、OVGP1が関わる機構を補充することで発生が可能であることを明らかにした。即ち、更なるOVGP1の機能解析を行うことで、初期胚発生の質をモニターし、管理する事が可能になると思われる。