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Ovum Factor: A First Signal of Pregnancy?
Author(s) -
CAVANAGH ALICE C.,
MORTON HALLE,
ROLFE BARBARA E.,
GIDLEYBAIRD A. ANGUS
Publication year - 1982
Publication title -
american journal of reproductive immunology
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
eISSN - 1600-0897
pISSN - 0271-7352
DOI - 10.1111/j.1600-0897.1982.tb00093.x
Subject(s) - pregnancy , signal (programming language) , andrology , obstetrics , gynecology , medicine , biology , computer science , genetics , programming language
Previous studies have shown that, in the mouse, a factor is produced by the fertilized ovum within 24 h of mating. It cooperates with prolactin to stimulate ovarian production of component B of early pregnancy factor (EPF). This paper presents an initial characterization of the substance, termed ovum facor (OF). An indirect assay based on the rosette inhibition test for EPF has shown that OF is first released upon penetration of the ovum by the fertilizing spermatozoon. OF continues to be produced at least until blastulation. Processes which parthenogenetically activate the ovum are also capable of stimulating OF release from unfertilized ova. Gel filtration studies reveal that OF exists in multiple MW forms of approximately 160,000; 2,800; and 1,500. A substance with these characteristics has not been described previously; it may represent the first embryonic signal to the mother.