HORMONAL-CONTROL OF THE BIOSYNTHESIS OF HAMSTER OVIDUCTIN

In several mammalian species, the epithelial secretory cells of the ov iduct synthesize and secrete specific glycoproteins that become associ ated with the zona pellucida of the ovulated oocyte. These glycoprotei ns are collectively designated as oviductins. A monoclonal antibody di rected against hamster oviductin was used to study the ontogeny of thi s glycoprotein. Indirect immunofluorescence experiments performed on s ections of hamster oviduct revealed that the glycoprotein begins to be secreted in 10-day-old females and that all of the oviductal secretor y cells showed fluorescent staining by day 14. The intensity of the im munofluorescence reaction reached a maximum in the 28-day-old females. The oviducts of the 7-day-old hamster incorporated [S-35]methionine i n vitro into several proteins; however, the production and secretion o f detectable amounts of radiolabeled oviductin only began at 14 days o f age and reached a maximum at day 28 of age. It appears that the onto geny of oviductin parallels the hormone dependent changes leading to s exual maturation and that its maximum secretion is already established at the time of the first ovulatory cycle. These results are substanti ated by the fact that the production of oviductin is induced in estrad iol-treated, but not progesterone or non-treated prepubertal animals, as determined by indirect immunofluorescence experiments. (C) 1995 Wii ey-Liss, Inc.