# SECRETIONS OF THE MAMMALIAN OVIDUCT

> **NIH NIH R01** · UNIVERSITY OF ILLINOIS AT CHICAGO · 1994 · $194,271

## Abstract

The lining epithelium of the mammalian oviduct is a target tissue for
the ovarian steroids, and at the time of ovulation consists of two cell
types, namely ciliated and secretory cells, which are present in
approximately equal proportions.  The apical regions of the secretory
cells contain secretory granules and the macromolecules present within
these granules are released into the oviductal lumen.  In the baboon,
these macromolecules in reduced form are glycoproteins with a molecular
weight of 110-130 kD.  These secretions are estradiol-dependent and
oviduct-specific.  The human oviduct synthesizes and secretes a family
of glycoproteins with similar electrophoretic and antigenic properties.
The primary objective of this study is to determine if these
glycoproteins are essential for, or enhance the early reproductive
events which occur within the baboon and human oviduct.  The approach
taken is to use both molecular and physiological techniques to fulfill
this objective.  cDNA probes will be obtained from both baboon and human
oviductal libraries, sequenced and compared to known sequences to obtain
clues to their potential function.  The probes will also be used to
determine hormonal control and location (cell compartment) of the mRNA.
Fluorescent and colloidal-gold techniques will be used to determine if
the glycoproteins bind to or interact with oocytes/embryos and/or sperm
in vivo.  In vitro fertilization and embryo culture techniques will be
used to determine if the glycoproteins enhance embryo development and/or
the fertilization process.  The ultimate goal of these studies is to
determine if these oviduct-specific glycoproteins improve embryo
viability and their ability to successfully implant within the uterus.
The data from the proposed studies should provide basic information on
the physiology of the primate oviduct and improve our knowledge relating
to fertilization and the oviductal stages of embryo development.  These
studies may also have important implications for the current procedures
used in IVF-ET programs, and could potentially open an area into new
immunological contraceptive methods.

## Key facts

- **NIH application ID:** 2198032
- **Project number:** 5R01HD020571-08
- **Recipient organization:** UNIVERSITY OF ILLINOIS AT CHICAGO
- **SAM.gov UEI:** W8XEAJDKMXH3
- **Principal Investigator:** HAROLD G VERHAGE
- **Activity code:** R01 (R01, R21, SBIR, etc.)
- **Funding institute:** NIH
- **Fiscal year:** 1994
- **Award amount:** $194,271
- **Award type:** 5
- **Project period:** 1986-04-01 → 1995-11-30

## Primary source

NIH RePORTER: https://reporter.nih.gov/project-details/2198032

## Citation

> US National Institutes of Health, RePORTER application 2198032, SECRETIONS OF THE MAMMALIAN OVIDUCT (5R01HD020571-08). Retrieved via MORVS 2026-10-25 from https://api.morvs.ai/grant/nih/2198032. Licensed CC0.

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