Sperm maturation induced by immunocompetent cells and symbiotic bacteria

2017 Fiscal Year Final Research Report

• Project/Area Number: 15K21098
• Research Category: Grant-in-Aid for Young Scientists (B)
• Allocation Type: Multi-year Fund
• Research Field: Experimental pathology; Obstetrics and gynecology
• Research Institution: Kyoto University
• Principal Investigator: Watanabe Hitomi 京都大学, ウイルス・再生医科学研究所, 助教 (80624056)
• Project Period (FY): 2015-04-01 – 2018-03-31
• Keywords: 精子 / Lipocalin2 / 免疫担当細胞 / 常在細菌叢 / 性ホルモン制御

Outline of Final Research Achievements

In this study, the mechanism of expression control of Lipocalin 2 (Lcn 2), a sperm maturation factor derived from uterine mucosa, was elucidated, thereby clarifying the fertilization control mechanism caused by the microenvironment of reproductive mucosa, and establishing the method of diagnosis and treatment of infertility. As a result of the study, the sex hormone control system in the pituitary - ovary axis leads to the periodicity of Lcn2 expression from uterine mucosa, but its constitutive expression is mediated by the presence of RAG2 - dependent immune cells and resident flora.

Free Research Field

生殖発生工学　実験動物学