The oocyte cumulus complex regulates mouse sperm migration in the oviduct.

Title of Paper:The oocyte cumulus complex regulates mouse sperm migration in the oviduct.

Journal:Communications Biology

Place of Publication:UK

Summary:As the time of ovulation draws near, mouse spermatozoa move out of the isthmic reservoir, which is a prerequisite for fertilization. However, the molecular mechanism remains unclear. The present study revealed that mouse cumulus cells of oocytes-cumulus complexes (OCCs) expressed transforming growth factor-β ligand 1 (TGFB1), whereas ampullary epithelial cells expressed the TGF-β receptors, TGFBR1 and TGFBR2, and all were upregulated by luteinizing hormone (LH)/human chorionic gonadotropin (hCG). OCCs and TGFB1 increased natriuretic peptide type C (NPPC) expression in cultured ampullae via TGF-β signaling, and NPPC treatment promoted spermatozoa moving out of the isthmic reservoir of the preovulatory oviducts. Deletion of Tgfb1 in cumulus cells and Tgfbr2 in ampullary epithelial cells blocked OCC-induced NPPC expression and spermatozoa moving out of the isthmic reservoir, resulting in compromised fertilization and fertility. Oocyte-derived paracrine factors were required for promoting cumulus cell expression of TGFB1. Therefore, oocyte-dependent and cumulus cell-derived TGFB1 promotes the expression of NPPC in oviductal ampulla, which is critical for sperm migration in the oviduct and subsequent fertilization.

First Author:Zhijuan Wang

Correspondence Author:Meijia Zhang,YouQiang Su

All the Authors:Wenqing Zhang,Longwei Gao,Yanli Sun,Xiaodan Zhang,Zhanying Wu,Hongwei Wei

Document Code:10.1038/s42003-022-04287-8

Volume:5

Issue:1

Page Number:1327

ISSN:2399-3642

Translation or Not:No

Date of Publication:2022-12

Release Time:2025-04-30