Abstract

The zona pellucida (ZP) glycoproteins play an important role in oocyte development and gamete biology. To analyze their expression in follicles during various developmental stages, murine monoclonal antibodies (MAbs) were generated against the baculovirus-expressed recombinant human ZP2, ZP3 and ZP4. A panel of MAbs specific for the respective zona protein in ELISA and Western blot, and devoid of cross-reaction with other zona proteins was selected. Immunohistochemistry has shown that ZP2 MAb, MA-1620, did not react with oocytes in resting primordial follicles but showed reactivity with degenerating oocytes in primordial follicles undergoing atresia, and with oocytes in growing and antral follicles. Three MAbs against ZP3 did not react with oocytes in primordial follicles, but reacted only with oocytes in growing and antral follicles. Out of four MAbs against ZP4, three MAbs reacted with oocytes in primordial, growing and antral follicles. No reactivity of these MAbs with other ovarian cell types and other tissues studied (endometrium, uterine cervix, fallopian tubes and kidney) was detected except for a strong reactivity of ZP2 MA-1620 with epithelial cells of the uterine ectocervix or endometrium in some samples investigated. Altogether, these studies document generation of MAbs exhibiting high specificity for human zona proteins, which will be useful reagents to study their immunobiology.

Full Text
Paper version not known

Talk to us

Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have

Schedule a call

Disclaimer: All third-party content on this website/platform is and will remain the property of their respective owners and is provided on "as is" basis without any warranties, express or implied. Use of third-party content does not indicate any affiliation, sponsorship with or endorsement by them. Any references to third-party content is to identify the corresponding services and shall be considered fair use under The CopyrightLaw.