Molecular and cellular aspects of reproduction

Recently, considerable attention has been focused on studies of membrane structure and function--involvement of cell surface components in intercellular interaction, in translocation of ligands and receptors cross cell membranes, and in the immunological properties of cells and gene expression and regulation. These investigations have led to the development of powerful technical tools which can be of immense value in the study of animal and human reproduction. The investigations of problems such as gamete interaction, fertilization, embryo implantation, and development have reached a stage where further meaningful progress in their understanding does not seem likely unless the conventional approaches are coupled with more modern molecular and cellular techniques. Furthermore, it is only through such basic studies that potential means of fertility regulation will emerge. The various physiological events in animal reproduction such as fertilization and implantation essentially involve an interaction between specific cell membrane components. Similarly, embryogenesis involves the expression and regulation of genes at various stages of development. Therefore, the entire Workshop was specifically devoted to two topics: 1) Structure, function, and biosynthesis of membrane components, and 2) Gene expression and regulation as related to animal reproduction. The presentations relating to each topic are presented in separate sections in this book. The presentations on each topic of the Workshop were arranged so that the fundamental aspects of the topics were reviewed prior to the discussion of their application to specific systems. For instance, the basic concepts of glycoprotein chemistry, mechanisms of glycosylation and its regulation, and the general facts about transbilayer membrane proteins were reviewed in the first few presentations. This was followed by a discussion of specific systems such as sperm and zona pellucida components and their interaction. The first part of the Workshop concluded with presentations on the cellular and molecular aspects of membrane components and their interaction. The second part of the workshop began with a presenation on chromatin structure and gener expression, and this was followed by reviews of structure and expression of specific genes, including placental and pituitary genes of gonadotropins, prolactin, and growth hormone. Mannalian gene transfere and gene expression, which are important in the understanding of gene regulation in development, were also reviewed. The use of cDNA probes in the characterization of Sertoli cell products for the elucidation of cell function was discussed Finally, the subunit structure of progesterone receptor and DNA binding as related to steroid hormone action was presented.