Evidence of the Involvement of Epithelial and Neural Cadherin in Murine Fertilization

VERÓN, GUSTAVO LUIS; VEIGA, MARÍA FLORENCIA; CAMEO, MÓNICA; MARÍN-BRIGGILER, CLARA ISABEL; VAZQUEZ-LEVIN, MÓNICA HEBE

Buenos Aires

Congreso; REUNIÓN CONJUNTA DE SOCIEDADES DE BIOCIENCIAS; 2017

Successful mammalian fertilization requires a well orchestratedsequence of molecular events leading to gamete fusion and earlyembryo development. Since gamete interaction involves adhesionevents in the presence of Ca2+, we study the participation of theCa+2-dependent cell-cell adhesion proteins Epithelial (Ecad) andNeural (Ncad) cadherin.Previously, we reported the expression of Ecad and Ncad in human, bovine and murine gametes and reproductive tissues. Their involvement in human fertilization was evidenced by the ability of antiEcad or anti Ncad antibodies to impair gamete interaction. However,their role in homologous fertilization was not evaluated for ethicalreasons.Herein, we report results obtained using specific antibodies andblocking peptides toward Ecad and Ncad to test the involvementof both adhesion proteins in murine fertilization. IVF (with Cumulus-Oocyte Complex (COC), denuded Oocytes and denuded ZPfree Oocytes), Sperm penetration of Cumulus, and Sperm-Oolemma binding assays were done.Firstly, gamete pre-incubation with anti Ecad (ECCD1) or anti NCad (H-63) antibodies resulted in decreased (P