Detection of BMP-5 in bovine oviductal fluid and its interaction with in vitro matured bovine oocytes

GARCIA, ELINA VANESA; VALDECANTOS, PABLO A.; ROLDÁN OLARTE, M; BARRERA, DANIEL; RIZO, GABRIELA; GARCÍA, DANIELA C; MICELI, DORA C.

Horco Molle

Jornada; XXIX Jornadas Científicas de la Asociación de Biología de Tucumán; 2012

Asociación de Biología de Tucumán

Bone morphogenetic proteins (BMPs) play crucial roles in mammalian reproduction. In previous studies, we have demonstrated that BMP-5 is differentially expressed in the isthmus of bovine oviduct. The aim of this study was to evaluate the presence of BMP-5 in the bovine oviductal fluid (bOF) and to study its interaction with matured oocytes. Genital tracts from cows slaughtered at a local abattoir were classified as: proestrus, metestrus and diestrus. The presence of BMP-5 in bOF, collected from oviducts of each stage, was evaluated by Western blot using an anti-BMP-5 primary antibody. As result, a protein band of 21 kDa corresponding to the mature form of BMP-5 was detected in all the samples. Interaction of BMP-5 from bOF with oocytes was assayed in vitro by incubating matured cumulus-intact oocytes, cumulus-denuded oocytes and zona-free oocytes in media with or without bOF. Samples were then evaluated by indirect immunofluorescence using the anti-BMP-5 antibody and confocal microscopy. BMP-5 was observed to bind to cumulus cells, oocytes plasma membrane and to the zona pellucida. These results let us consider that BMP-5 could have biological effects on the female gamete during their transit through the oviduct.