Robertson S A, O'Leary S, Armstrong D T
Research Centre for Reproductive Health, Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, University of Adelaide, SA 5005, Australia.
Soc Reprod Fertil Suppl. 2006;62:231-45.
Insemination transmits to the female reproductive tract constituents of seminal plasma that target uterine epithelial cells to activate a cascade of inflammatory and immunological changes. Experiments in rodents show seminal factor signalling acts to 'condition' the female immune response to tolerate the conceptus, and to organise molecular and cellular changes in the endometrium to facilitate embryo development and implantation. The active factors in seminal plasma are identified as members of the transforming growth factor-beta family, with the relative balance of active moieties influencing the precise character of the female tract response. Experiments in rodents show that disruption of seminal plasma priming causes foetal growth retardation and changes in placental structure, with long-term consequences for the growth of the neonate. Recent studies indicate a similar physiological function and molecular basis for seminal plasma actions in the pig. In gilts, seminal plasma elicits an endometrial response characterised by recruitment of inflammatory leukocytes and induction of several pro-inflammatory cytokines and cyclo-oxygenase-2. The consequences are evident throughout the pre-implantation period of early pregnancy with altered leukocyte populations and cytokine parameters seen for at least 9 days. Exposure to semen also alters the dynamics in pre-implantation embryo development with an increase in the number of embryos and in their viability. Furthermore seminal plasma influences the temporal kinetics of ovulation, corpus luteum development and steroid production in the ovary. Dissecting the actions of seminal plasma may facilitate development of strategies to ensure maximal fertility and reduce embryo mortality in the pig.
授精将精浆成分传递至雌性生殖道，这些成分作用于子宫上皮细胞，激活一系列炎症和免疫变化。啮齿动物实验表明，精液因子信号传导可“调节”雌性免疫反应以耐受孕体，并在子宫内膜中组织分子和细胞变化，以促进胚胎发育和着床。精浆中的活性因子被确定为转化生长因子-β家族成员，活性部分的相对平衡影响雌性生殖道反应的精确特征。啮齿动物实验表明，精浆启动的破坏会导致胎儿生长迟缓以及胎盘结构改变，对新生儿生长产生长期影响。最近的研究表明，猪的精浆作用具有类似的生理功能和分子基础。在后备母猪中，精浆引发子宫内膜反应，其特征为炎症白细胞的募集以及几种促炎细胞因子和环氧化酶-2的诱导。这些后果在妊娠早期的整个着床前期都很明显，白细胞群体和细胞因子参数至少在9天内发生改变。接触精液还会改变着床前胚胎发育的动态，胚胎数量及其活力增加。此外，精浆会影响卵巢排卵、黄体发育和类固醇生成的时间动力学。剖析精浆的作用可能有助于制定策略，以确保猪的最大生育能力并降低胚胎死亡率。
