# STEROID CONTROL OF OVIDUCT DIFFERENTIATION

> **NIH NIH R29** · TUFTS UNIVERSITY BOSTON · 1994 · $102,844

## Abstract

The long term objective of this proposal is to determine how estradiol 17-
beta (E2) and progesterone regulate the synthesis and release of an E2-
dependent oviduct protein and to directly evaluate its role in
reproduction.  It is HYPOTHESIZED that this E2-induced protein is
synthesized and released into the oviduct lumen during estrus and for the
first 3-4 days of pregnancy where it interacts with the gametes to
facilitate fertilization and early embryonic cleavage.  Three specific aims
are proposed.

SPECIFIC AIM #1.To test the HYPOTHESIS that the synthesis and release of an
E2-dependent glycoprotein from the epithelial cells of the ampulla oviduct
varies with the estrous cycle and pregnancy so that it is present in the
lumen during gamete transport, at the time of fertilization and for the
first few days that the developing embryo resides in the oviduct; and that
this oviduct protein associates with the oocyte and fertilized ovum.  The
protein will be immunoprecipitated from oviduct culture media and flushings
obtained at select stages in the estrous cycle and early pregnancy and
immunocytochemically localized in the oviduct and fertilized egg.
SPECIFIC AIM #2.To test the HYPOTHESIS that this E2-dependent oviduct
glycoprotein plays an important role in enhancing in vitro fertilization
and embryo development.  In vitro fertilization and embryo
micromanipulation and transfer techniques will be used to assess the
differences in fertilization rates and embryo development in the presence
and absence of the E2-dependent protein.  Western blot and Northern
analysis will be used to assess the viability of in vitro matured embryos
by monitoring the production of the embryonic interferon, ovine trophoblast
protein-1.
SPECIFIC AIM #3.To test the HYPOTHESIS that this E2-induced oviduct protein
is a protein which shares sequence homology with known proteases, enzymes
or growth factors.  The gene encoding this protein will be cloned and
sequenced.  The primary amino acid sequence will be inferred from
nucleotide sequence and compared for homology to known proteins,
particularly proteases, enzymes and growth factors.

Collectively, these studies will provide new, direct and important
contributions to understand the steroid regulation of the oviduct in early
pregnancy.

## Key facts

- **NIH application ID:** 2199360
- **Project number:** 5R29HD024998-04
- **Recipient organization:** TUFTS UNIVERSITY BOSTON
- **SAM.gov UEI:** C1F5LNUF7W86
- **Principal Investigator:** MARY K MURRAY
- **Activity code:** R29 (R01, R21, SBIR, etc.)
- **Funding institute:** NIH
- **Fiscal year:** 1994
- **Award amount:** $102,844
- **Award type:** 5
- **Project period:** 1991-02-01 → 1996-01-31

## Primary source

NIH RePORTER: https://reporter.nih.gov/project-details/2199360

## Citation

> US National Institutes of Health, RePORTER application 2199360, STEROID CONTROL OF OVIDUCT DIFFERENTIATION (5R29HD024998-04). Retrieved via MORVS 2026-10-25 from https://api.morvs.ai/grant/nih/2199360. Licensed CC0.

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