The long term goal of this research is to define the mechanisms by which photoperiod, hormones of the hypothalamus, pituitary and ovary interact in controlling cessation and reinitiation of embryonic development and implantation in a species exhibiting obligate delay of implantation. This proposal specifically seeks to Provide additional evidence to support the theory that corpora lutea of mustelid carnivores such as the domesticated ferret and spotted skunk secrete a proteinacious compound that is essential for induction of blastocyst implantation. I propose to further purify and chemically characterize the ferret luteal implantation factor (LIF) and to determine which trophic factor(s) stimulate its synthesis and secretion in vitro. I then propose to demonstrate by passive immunization of ferrets and spotted skunks, that antibodies to LIF will inhibit implantation. Another experiment is designed to determine on which days of pregnancy or pseudopregnancy LIF is secreted in ferrets. I also propose to further verify that LIF is only produced by CL of ferrets and to explore its subcellular distribution and mode of secretion using immunocytochemistry. Another series of experiments is designed to determine whether LIF acts on the uterus and or blastocysts and to provide evidence for the presence of receptor sites to this compound. This will be accomplished by studying specific binding of (125I)-LIF to uterine and blastocyst plasma membranes. Further demonstration of specific receptor sites will be accomplished by extraction of cross-linked (125I)-LIF-receptor complexes, followed by electrophoresis and autoradiography. The last set of experiments is designed to determine the specific effects of LIF on its target organs by measuring such things as changes in cAMP, protein, RNA and DNA synthesis in the uterus and or blastocysts.

Agency
National Institute of Health (NIH)
Institute
Eunice Kennedy Shriver National Institute of Child Health & Human Development (NICHD)
Type
Research Project (R01)
Project #
5R01HD006556-19
Application #
3310518
Study Section
Reproductive Biology Study Section (REB)
Project Start
1978-06-01
Project End
1993-05-31
Budget Start
1991-06-01
Budget End
1993-05-31
Support Year
19
Fiscal Year
1991
Total Cost
Indirect Cost
Name
University of Idaho
Department
Type
Schools of Arts and Sciences
DUNS #
City
Moscow
State
ID
Country
United States
Zip Code
83844
Paria, B C; Das, S K; Mead, R A et al. (1994) Expression of epidermal growth factor receptor in the preimplantation uterus and blastocyst of the western spotted skunk. Biol Reprod 51:205-13
Huang, J L; Powell, M; Mead, R A (1993) Luteal protein secretion during preimplantation in the ferret. Biol Reprod 48:647-54
Rose, J; Huang, J L; Mead, R A (1993) Role of ovarian steroids in development of uterine binding sites for prolactin in the ferret. Biol Reprod 48:1266-73
Duncan, M J; Mead, R A (1992) Autoradiographic localization of binding sites for 2-[125I]iodomelatonin in the pars tuberalis of the western spotted skunk (Spilogale putorius latifrons). Brain Res 569:152-5
Kaplan, J B; Berria, M; Mead, R A (1991) Prolactin levels in the western spotted skunk: changes during pre- and periimplantation and effects of melatonin and lesions to the anterior hypothalamus. Biol Reprod 44:991-7
Berria, M; DeSantis, M; Mead, R A (1990) Testicular response to melatonin or suprachiasmatic nuclei ablation in the spotted skunk. J Exp Zool 255:72-9
Berria, M; Mead, R A (1990) Retention and metabolic fate of [3H]-melatonin in the spotted skunk. J Pineal Res 8:129-36
Berria, M; DeSantis, M; Mead, R A (1989) Lesions to the anterior hypothalamus prevent the melatonin-induced lengthening of delayed implantation. Endocrinology 125:2897-904
Berria, M; Joseph, M M; Mead, R A (1989) Role of prolactin and luteinizing hormone in regulating timing of implantation in the spotted skunk. Biol Reprod 40:232-8
Joseph, M M; Mead, R A (1988) Size distribution of ferret luteal cells during pregnancy. Biol Reprod 39:1159-69

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