TY - JOUR AB - The oviduct/fallopian tube is a tube-like structure that extends from the uterus to the ovary. It is an essential reproductive organ that provides an environment for internal fertilization and preimplantation development. However, our knowledge of its regional and cellular heterogeneity is still limited. Here, we examined the anatomical complexity of mouse oviducts using modern imaging techniques and fluorescence reporter lines. We found that there are consistent coiling patterns and turning points in the coiled mouse oviduct that serve as reliable landmarks for luminal morphological regionalities. We also found previously unrecognized anatomical structures in the isthmus and uterotubal junction (UTJ) that likely play roles in reproduction. Further, we demarcated the ampulla-isthmus junction (AIJ) as a distinct region. Taken together, the oviduct mucosal epithelium has highly diverse structures with distinct epithelial cell populations, reflecting its complex functions in reproduction. AU - Harwalkar, K.* AU - Ford, M.J.* AU - Teng, K.* AU - Yamanaka, N.* AU - Yang, B.* AU - Burtscher, I. AU - Lickert, H. AU - Yamanaka, Y.* C1 - 61555 C2 - 50343 CY - Journals Dept, 2001 Evans Rd, Cary, Nc 27513 Usa SP - 1249-1261 TI - Anatomical and cellular heterogeneity in the mouse oviduct- its potential roles in reproduction and preimplantation development. JO - Biol. Reprod. VL - 104 IS - 6 PB - Oxford Univ Press Inc PY - 2021 SN - 0006-3363 ER - TY - JOUR AB - The risk of transmission of mouse minute virus (MMV) to recipients of murine embryos arising from in vitro fertilization (IVF) of cumulus-enclosed oocytes (CEOs) or without cumulus cells (CDOs) in the presence of MMV-exposed (10(4) TCID50 [mean tissue culture infective dose]/ml MMVp [prototype strain of MMV]) spermatozoa was evaluated. Also, the time after embryo transfer to detection of MMV antibody and the presence of MMV DNA in the mesenteric lymph nodes of recipients and pups were investigated. All mice were MMV free, but two seropositive recipients and four seropositive pups were found in the group with CDOs. With regard to the CEOs, two of 11 holding drops and five of 11 groups of embryos were MMV positive using PCR, while neither holding drops nor embryos carried infectious MMVp, as evidenced by the in vitro infectivity assay. From IVF with CDOs, five of 14 holding drops and four of nine groups of embryos were MMV positive, while one of 14 holding drops and no embryos carried infectious MMVp. When 10(5) cumulus cells were analyzed 5 h after exposure to 10(4) TCID50/ml MMVp, cells had an average titer of 10(4) TCID50/ml MMVp. The present data show that, in contrast to CDOs, 2-cell embryos from CEOs did not transmit infectious MMVp to the holding drops and to recipients. This observation is due to the presence of cumulus cells during the IVF process that reduce entry of MMV into the zona pellucida and absorb some of the virus. These data further confirm the efficacy of the IVF procedure in producing embryos that are free of infectious virus, leading to virus-free seronegative recipients and rederived pups. AU - Mahabir, E. AU - Bulian, D. AU - Needham, J.* AU - Schmidt, J. C1 - 752 C2 - 26938 CY - Madison SP - 531-538 TI - Lack of transmission of mouse minute virus (MMV) from in vitro-produced embryos to recipients and pups due to the presence of cumulus cells during the in vitro fertilization process. JO - Biol. Reprod. VL - 81 IS - 3 PB - Soc Study Reproduction PY - 2009 SN - 0006-3363 ER - TY - JOUR AB - In the present study, the risk of transmission of mouse minute virus (MMV) to recipients of murine embryos arising from in vitro fertilization (IVF) of oocytes with MMV-exposed spermatozoa and to resulting pups was evaluated. Also, the time of seroconversion of recipients and pups was investigated. To achieve this goal, IVF of oocytes with cryopreserved spermatozoa from the inbred C3HeB/FeJ mouse strain was performed, and the resulting embryos were transferred to suitable Swiss recipients. Three groups were investigated: 1) oocytes or the developing embryos were continuously exposed to 10(4) TCID(50) MMVp per milliliter in the fertilization (human tubal fluid [HTF]), culture (KSOM), and embryo transfer (M2) media (positive control); 2) oocytes and spermatozoa were exposed to MMVp in the HTF medium only and transferred after a standard washing procedure with 10 washing steps in virus-free KSOM and M2; and 3) oocytes and spermatozoa were exposed to virus-free HTF, KSOM, and M2 (negative control). To detect antibodies to MMV in recipients and progeny, serological analyses were performed by ELISA on Days 14, 21, 28, and 42, and on Days 42 and 63, respectively, after embryo transfer. The presence of MMV in the washing drops was analyzed by PCR and an in vitro infectivity assay, while organs of some recipients and pups were analyzed by PCR. Using 10(4) of the tissue culture infective dose of MMVp per millilitre in the fertilization medium only, the present results demonstrate that 10 washing steps in the IVF-ET procedure are sufficient to remove the virus to a noninfectious dose, producing MMV-free seronegative recipients and pups. As such, there is minimal risk of transmission of MMV to recipients and pups if spermatozoa become contaminated with such viral loads. AU - Mahabir, E. AU - Bulian, D. AU - Schmöller, R. AU - Needham, J.* AU - Schmidt, J. C1 - 467 C2 - 25322 SP - 53-58 TI - Production of virus-free seronegative pups from murine embryos arising from in vitro fertilization with mouse minute virus-exposed spermatozoa. JO - Biol. Reprod. VL - 78 IS - 1 PB - Soc. Study Reproduction PY - 2008 SN - 0006-3363 ER - TY - JOUR AB - The present study investigated the presence and location of fluorescent microspheres having the size of mouse hepatitis virus (MHV) and of mouse minute virus (MMV) in the zona pellucida (ZP) of in vivo-produced murine embryos, the transmission of these viruses by embryos during embryo transfer, and the time of seroconversion of recipients and pups. To this end, fertilized oocytes and morulae were exposed to different concentrations of MMVp for 16 h, while 2-cell embryos and blastocysts were coincubated for 1 h. In addition, morulae were exposed to MHV-A59 for 16 h. One group of embryos was washed, and the remaining embryos remained unwashed before embryo transfer. Serological analyses were performed by means of ELISA to detect antibodies to MHV or MMV in recipients and in progeny on Days 14, 21, 28, 42, and 63 and on Days 42, 63, 84, 112, 133, and 154, respectively, after embryo transfer. Coincubation with a minimum of 10(5)/ml of fluorescent microspheres showed that particles with a diameter of 20 nm but not 100 nm crossed the ZP of murine blastocysts. Washing generally led to a 10-fold to 100-fold reduction of MMVp. Washed MMV-exposed but not MHV-exposed embryos led to the production of antibodies independent of embryonic stage and time of virus exposure. Recipients receiving embryos exposed to a minimum of 10(7) mean tissue culture infective dose (TCID(50))/ml of MHV-A59 and 10(2) TCID(50)/ml of MMVp seroconverted by Day 42 after embryo transfer. The results indicate that MMV but not MHV can be transmitted to recipients even after washing embryos 10 times before embryo transfer. AU - Mahabir, E. AU - Bulian, D. AU - Needham, J.* AU - Meyer, A. AU - Mateusen, B.* AU - Soom, A.V.* AU - Nauwynck, H.* AU - Schmidt, J. C1 - 4018 C2 - 24701 SP - 189-197 TI - Transmission of mouse minute virus (MMV) but not mouse hepatitis virus (MHV) following embryo transfer with experimentally exposed in vivo-derived embryos. JO - Biol. Reprod. VL - 76 IS - 2 PB - SSR PY - 2007 SN - 0006-3363 ER - TY - JOUR AU - Peters, D.D. AU - Marschall, S. AU - Mahabir, E. AU - Boersma, A. AU - Heinzmann, U. AU - Schmidt, J. AU - Hrabě de Angelis, M. C1 - 4257 C2 - 23450 SP - 246-252 TI - Risk assessment of mouse hepatitis virus infection via in vitro fertilization and embryo transfer by the use of zona-intact and laser-microdissected oocytes. JO - Biol. Reprod. VL - 74 PY - 2006 SN - 0006-3363 ER - TY - JOUR AB - In contrast to the known rodent enzymes, the physiological significance of 17beta-hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase type 7 (17HSD7) and its presumed function in reproductive biology is not well understood in primates. As a first step, we recently cloned the complete coding regions of human and marmoset monkey (Callithrix jacchus) 17HSD7 (cj17HSD7). In the present work the complete cDNA of marmoset 17HSD1 (cj17HSD1), including the proximal promoter region, and a partial sequence of marmoset aromatase (cjARO) were sequenced in order to compare the expression of these estradiol synthesizing enzymes with that of 17HSD7 in a primate model and to identify tissues where 17HSD7 might participate in the pathway of estradiol synthesis. The gene structures of cj17HSD1 and cj17HSD7 were determined and proved to be very similar to the human orthologues. Northern hybridization showed that cjARO mRNA seems to be coexpressed preferably with cj17HSD1 in placenta, whereas in other tissues it is expressed in parallel only with cj17HSD7. Especially in corpora lutea, the cj17HSD7 transcript is detectable throughout the luteal phase of the ovarian cycle and increases during pregnancy, in parallel with the transcript of aromatase. Results were confirmed by immunoblots and immunohistochemistry using new polyclonal antisera directed against cj17HSD7 and cjARO protein. The enzymatic conversion of estrone to estradiol was assessed in marmoset corpora lutea. The pattern of coexpression with aromatase supports the hypothesis that luteal 17HSD7 complements placental 17HSD1, ensuring continued estradiol synthesis throughout pregnancy in primates. AU - Husen, B.* AU - Adamski, J. AU - Brüns, A.* AU - Deluca, D. AU - Fuhrmann, K.* AU - Möller, G. AU - Schwabe, I.* AU - Einspanier, A.* C1 - 3064 C2 - 21730 SP - 2092-2099 TI - Characterization of 17ß-hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase type 7 in reproductive tissues of the marmoset monkey. JO - Biol. Reprod. VL - 68 IS - 6 PY - 2003 SN - 0006-3363 ER -