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Production of Activins by the Human Endosalpinx

Section of Reproductive and Developmental Medicine, University of Sheffield, Royal Hallamshire Hospital (A.O.B., H.D.M., A.A.P., W.L.L.), Sheffield, United Kingdom S10 2SF; and Division of Genomic Medicine, Section of Oncology and Pathology, University of Sheffield Medical School (R.L.S., M.W.), Sheffield, United Kingdom S10 2RX

Address all correspondence and requests for reprints to: Dr. W. L. Ledger, Section of Reproductive and Developmental Medicine, University of Sheffield, Level 4, The Jessop Wing, Royal Hallamshire Hospital, Sheffield, United Kingdom S10 2SF.

Abstract

Uterine tubes from 11 premenopausal and 6 postmenopausal women were collected and examined for the presence of inhibin, activin, and follistatin in the endosalpinx. Immunocytochemistry of tissue from both the isthmic and ampullary regions demonstrated clear staining for the ß_A- and ß_B-subunits that increased in intensity from the isthmus to the ampulla. Staining for follistatin showed a similar pattern, but no staining for the -subunit was observed. Although staining for the ß_A-subunit was seen in almost every epithelial cell, staining for the ß_B-subunit was more variable. Western blotting showed a band with an apparent molecular mass of 28 kDa (corresponding to the activin dimer) and a band of approximately 60 kDa (corresponding to the pro-protein of activin). In situ hybridization confirmed the presence of mRNA for the ß_A- and ß_B-subunits in the endosalpinx. These results indicate that the endosalpinx is able to synthesize activin, not inhibin, suggesting that in premenopausal women they may have an important role in the biology of the developing embryo. The role in postmenopausal women is less certain, but could lead to the stimulation of FSH secretion by the pituitary gland or other autocrine/paracrine function within the uterine tube.

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				B. Refaat, S. Amer, B. Ola, N. Chapman, and W. Ledger The Expression of Activin- A- and - B-Subunits, Follistatin, and Activin Type II Receptors in Fallopian Tubes Bearing an Ectopic Pregnancy J. Clin. Endocrinol. Metab., January 1, 2008; 93(1): 293 - 299. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]

				B A Refaat, A O Bahathiq, S Sockanathan, R L Stewart, M Wells, and W L Ledger Production and localization of activins and activin type IIA and IIB receptors by the human endosalpinx Reproduction, August 1, 2004; 128(2): 249 - 255. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]