Reprod. Nutr. Dev. 42 (2002) 355-372
DOI: 10.1051/rnd:2002031

Regulation of IGF-I and porcine oviductal secretory protein (pOSP) secretion into the pig oviduct in the peri-ovulatory period, and effects of previous nutrition

Susan Novak^a, Brian K. Treacy^a, Fernanda R.C.L. Almeida^a, Jiude Mao^a, William C. Buhi^b, Walter T. Dixon^a and George R. Foxcroft<sup>a

a</sup>  Department of Agricultural, Food and Nutritional Science, University of Alberta, Edmonton, AB, T6G 2P5, Canada
^b  Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, University of Florida, Gainesville, Florida, 32610-0294, USA

(Received 1 February 2002; accepted 6 July 2002)

Abstract
The mechanisms regulating oviduct function were investigated. In Experiment 1, porcine oviductal secretory protein (pOSP) mRNA, and pOSP and insulin-like growth factor (IGF-I) in oviductal flushings, decreased through the peri-ovulatory period. In Experiment 2, higher plasma steroids in oviductal veins, ipsilateral (INT), rather than contralateral (OVX), to the remaining ovary in unilaterally ovariectomized gilts, were associated with higher pOSP in INT oviductal flushings. In Experiment 3, oviduct function was assessed as part of a collaborative study in cyclic gilts. Feed restriction in the late, compared to the early, luteal phase reduced estradiol concentrations in oviductal plasma, pOSP mRNA in oviductal tissue, and IGF-I concentrations and pOSP abundance in oviduct flushings. Previous insulin treatment differentially affected oviduct function. These data provide the first direct evidence for effects of previous feed restriction and insulin treatment on the oviduct environment in the peri-ovulatory period, which may contribute to nutritional effects on embryonic survival.

Key words: oviduct / steroids / porcine oviduct secretory protein (pOSP) / IGF-I / pig

Correspondence and reprints: Susan Novak
    e-mail: snovak@afns.ualberta.ca

© INRA, EDP Sciences 2002