Skip to main content
SpringerLink
Log in

Proteases of the Blastocyst and of the Uterus

  • Conference paper
Proteins and Steroids in Early Pregnancy

Abstract

The physiological role which certain proteinases seem to play in embryo implantation in the uterus is recently receiving increasing interest. Analytical studies performed in the rabbit, the mouse and the rat have provided evidence that proteinase systems with peculiar properties are not only present at these sites but certain enzymes also show remarkable changes in activity around implantation (Andary 1974; Dabich and Andary 1976;Denker 1969a, 1972, 1974b, 1975, 1976a;Denker and Fritz 1979;Denker and Petzold 1977; Kirchner 1972; Kirchner et al. 1971; Pinsker et al. 1974; Rosenfeld and Joshi 1977; Strickland et al. 1976). From these studies the hypothesis was derived that the action of proteinases may form an essential part of the mechanisms involved in implantation, and has received support from studies in which proteinase inhibitors were administered in vivo (Dabich and Andary 1974; Denker 1977, 1978a,b). Furthermore, evidence was presented suggesting that the physiological regulation of implantation initiation as governed by maternal hormones may in part be mediated by changes in proteinase and/or proteinase inhibitor activity of uterine tissues or the trophoblast.

This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.

Access this chapter

Log in via an institution
Chapter
USD 29.95
Price excludes VAT (USA)
  • Available as PDF
  • Read on any device
  • Instant download
  • Own it forever
eBook
USD 84.99
Price excludes VAT (USA)
  • Available as EPUB and PDF
  • Read on any device
  • Instant download
  • Own it forever
Softcover Book
USD 109.99
Price excludes VAT (USA)
  • Compact, lightweight edition
  • Dispatched in 3 to 5 business days
  • Free shipping worldwide - see info

Tax calculation will be finalised at checkout

Purchases are for personal use only

Institutional subscriptions

Preview

Unable to display preview. Download preview PDF.

Unable to display preview. Download preview PDF.

References

  • Allen WM, Corner GW (1929) Physiology of the corpus luteum. III. Normal growth and implantation of embryos after very early ablation of the ovaries, under the influence of extracts of the corpus luteum. Am J Physiol 88:340–346

    CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Ardary TJ (1974) Trypsin — and chymotrypsin — like enzymes in preimplantation mouse embryos. Medical disserations, Wayne State University, Detroit

    Google Scholar 

  • Barret MC (ed) (1977)Proteinases in mammalian cells and tissues. North-Holland, Amsterdam New York Oxford (Research monographs in cell and tissue physiology, vol. 2)

    Google Scholar 

  • Beier HM (1970) Hormonal stimulation of protease inhibitor activity in endometrial secretion during early pregnancy. Acta Endocrinol (Kbh) 63:141–149

    CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Beier HM (1974) Oviducal and uterine fluids. J Reprod Fertil 37:221–237

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Beier HM (1977) Immunologische und biochemische Analysen am Uteroglobin und dem Uteroglobinähnlichen Antigen der Lunge. Med Welt 28:788–792

    PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Beier HM, Kühnel W, Petry G (1972) Morphologische und biochemische Befunde am pseudograviden Kaninchenendometrium nach gonadotroper Stimulierung. Verh Anat Ges 66:445–457

    Google Scholar 

  • Bergström S (1970) Estimation of proteolytic activity at mouse implantation sites by the gelatin digestion method. J Reprod Fertil 23:481–485

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Bhatt BM, Bullock DW (1974) Binding of oestradiol to rabbit blastocysts and its possible role in implantation. J Reprod Fertil 39:65–70

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Bindon BM (1971) Role of progesterone in implantation in the sheep. J Reprod Fertil 24:146

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Blandau RJ (1949) Embryo-endometrial interrelationship in the rat and guinea pig. Anat Ree 104:331–359

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Böving BG (1963) Implantation mechanisms. In: Hartman CG (ed) Conference on physiological mechanisms concerned with conception. Pergamon, Oxford London New York Paris, pp 321–396

    Google Scholar 

  • Bornstein P, Traub W (1979) The chemistry and biology of collagen. In: Neurath H, Hill RL (eds) The proteins, 3rd edn vol IV. Academic Press, New York San Francisco London, pp 411–632

    Google Scholar 

  • Bosu WTK, Johansson EDB (1975) Implantation and maintenance of pregnancy in mated rhesus monkeys following bilateral oophorectomy or luteectomy with and without progesterone replacement. Acta Endocrinol (Kbh) 79:598–609

    CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Burleigh MC (1977) Degradation of collagen by non-specific proteinases. In: Barrett AJ (ed) Proteinases in mammalian cells and tissues. North-Holland, Amsterdam New York Oxford (Research monographs in cell and tissue physiology) pp 285–309

    Google Scholar 

  • Challis JRG, Davies IJ, Ryan KJ (1973) The concentrations of progesterone, estrone and estradiol-17ß in the plasma of pregnant rabbits. Endocrinology 93:971–976

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Dabich D, Andary TJ (1974) Prevention of blastocyst implantation in mice with proteinase inhibitors. Fertil Steril 25:954–957

    PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Dabich D, Andary TJ (1976) Tryptic- and chymotryptic-like proteinases in early and late preimplantation mouse blastocysts. Biochim Biophys Acta 444:147–153

    PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Daniel JC Jr (1974) Circulating levels of oestradiol-17ß during early pregnancy in the Alaskan fur seal showing an oestrogen surge preceding implantation. J Reprod Fertil 37:425–428

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Daniel JC Jr, Krishnan RS (1967) Amino acid requirements for growth of the rabbit blastocyst in vitro. J Cell Physiol 70:155–160

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Deanesly R (1960) Implantation and early pregnancy in ovariectomized guinea-pigs. J Reprod Fertil 1:242–248

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Denker H-W (1969) Zur Enzym-Topochemie von Frühentwicklung und Implantation des Kaninchens. Medical dissertation, University of Marburg

    Google Scholar 

  • Denker H-W (1970a) Topochemie hochmolekularer Kohlenhydratsubstanzen in Frühentwicklung und Implantation des Kaninchens. I. Allgemeine Lokalisierung und Charakterisierung hochmolekularer Kohlenhydratsubstanzen in frühen Embryonalstadien. Zool Jahrb Abt Allgem Zool Physiol 75:141–245

    CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Denker H-W (1970b) Topochemie hochmolekularer Kohlenhydratsubstanzen in Frühentwicklung und Implantation des Kaninchens. II. Beiträge zu entwiclungsphysiologischen Fragestellungen. Zool Jahrb Abt Allgem Zool Physiol 75:246–308

    CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Denker H-W (1971) Substratfilmtest für den Proteasennachweis. Acta Histochem [Suppl] (Jena) 10:303–305

    Google Scholar 

  • Denker H-W (1972) Blastocyst protease and implantation: Effect of ovariectomy and progesterone substitution in the rabbit. Acta Endocrinol (Kbh) 70:591–602

    CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Denker H-W (1974a) Protease substrate film test. Histochemistry 38:331–338;

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Denker H-W (1974a) Protease substrate film test. Histochemistry 39:193

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Denker H-W (1974b) Trophoblastic factors involved in lysis of the blastocyst coverings and in implantation in the rabbit: Observations on inversely orientated blastocysts. J Embryol Exp Morphol 32:739–748

    PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Denker H-W (1975) Implantation des Kaninchenkeims im Uterus. Bedeutung von Enzymen des Embryos bzw. des Endometriums. Verh Anat Ges 69:281–289

    PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Denker H-W (1976a) Interaction of proteinase inhibitors with blastocyst proteinases involved in implantation. In: Peeters H (ed) Protides of the biological fluids. Proceedings of the XXIIIrd Colloquium, Brugge 1975. Pergamon, Oxford, pp 63–68

    Google Scholar 

  • Denker H-W (1976b) Cooper IUD-induced loss of endometrial arylamidase activity in the rabbit. Biol Reprod 15:519–522

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Denker H-W (1976c) Wechselbeziehungen zwischen Blastozyste und Endometrium bei der Implantation: Beeinflussung der endometrialen Aminosäure-Arylamidase-Aktivität durch die Blastozyste. Verh Anat Ges 70:140:839–847

    PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Denker H-W (1977) Implantation: The role of proteinases, and blockage of implantation by proteinase inhibitors. Springer, Berlin Heidelberg New York, Advances in anatomy, embryology and cell biology, vol 53/5

    Google Scholar 

  • Denker H-W (1978a) The role of trophoblast-dependent and of uterine proteases in initiation of implantation. In: Ludwig H, Tauber PF (eds) Human fertilization. Proceedings of an international workshop, Essen 1976. Thieme, Stuttgart: pp 204–214

    Google Scholar 

  • Denker H-W (1978b) The role of trophoblastic factors in implantation. In: Spilman CH (ed) Novel aspects of reproductive physiology. Seventh Brook Lodge workshop on problems of reproductive biology, 1977. Spectrum, New York, pp 181–212

    Google Scholar 

  • Denker H-W, Eng LA, Hamner CE (1978) Studies on the early development and implantation in the cat. II. Implantation: proteinases. Anat Embryol 154:39–54

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Denker H-W, Fritz H (1979) Enzymic characterization of rabbit blastocyst proteinase with synthetic substrates of trypsin-like enzymes. Hoppe Seylers Z Physiol Chem 360:107–113

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Denker H-W, Gerdes H-J (1979) The dynamic structure of rabbit blastocyst coverings. I. Transformation during regular preimplantation development. Anat Embryol 157:15–34

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Denker H-W, Hafez ESE (1975) Proteases and implantation in the rabbit: Role of trophoblast vs. uterine secretion. Cytobiologie 11:101–109

    PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Denker H-W, Petzoldt U (1977) Proteinases involved in implantation initiation in the rabbit: microdisc electrophoretic studies. Cytobiologie 15:363–371

    CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Denker H-W, Stangl R (1976) Versuche zur Lokalisierung und Abgrenzung verschiedener Aminosäure-Arylamidasen in Uterus und Blastozyste des Kaninchens. XVII. Symposium der Gesellschaft für Histochemie, Bozen 1974. Acta Histochem [Suppl] (Jena) 16:249–257

    CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Denker H-W, Van Hoorn G (1974) Peptidases related to implantation in the rabbit: Local stimulation of endometrial arylamidase secretion by the blastocyst immediately preceding implantation. Abstract, VHth Annual Meeting of the Society for the Study of Reproduction, Ottawa, Canada

    Google Scholar 

  • Dickmann Z, Dey SK (1974) Steroidogenesis in the preimplantation rat embryo and its possible influence on morula-blastocyst transformation and implantation. J Reprod Fertil 37:91–93

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Dickmann Z, Dey SK, Gupta JS (1975) Steroidogenesis in rabbit preimplantation embryos. Proc Natl Acad Sci USA 72:298–300

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Dickmann Z, Gupta JS, Dey SK (1977) Does “blastocyst estrogen” initiate implantation? Science 195:687–688

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • George FW, Wilson JD (1978) Estrogen formation in the early rabbit embryo. Science 199:200–201

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Gerdes H-J, Denker H-W (1979) Die strukturelle Entwicklung der Keimhüllen des Kaninchens vom Stadium der Blastozystenbildung bis zur Implantation. Verh Anat Ges 73, Anat. Anz. Suppl. 146:427–434

    Google Scholar 

  • Gwatkin RBL (1966) Amino acid requirements for attachment and outgrowth of the mouse blastocyst in vitro. J Cell Physiol 68:335–343

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Hafez ESE (1963) Gestation in salpingectomized-ovariectomized progesterone-treated rabbits. Proc Soc Exp Biol Med 114:604–607

    PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Harper MJK, Prostkoff B, Reeve RJ (1966) Implantation and embryonic development in the ovariectomized hamster. Acta Endocrinol (Kbh) 52:465–470

    CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Hoorn G van, Denker H-W (1975) Effect of the blastocyst on a uterine amino acid arylamidase in the rabbit. J Reprod Fertil 45:359–362

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Hoversland RC, Weitlauf HM (1978) The effect of estrogen and progesterone on the level of amidase activity in fluid flushed from the uteri of ovariectomized mice. Biol Reprod 19:908–912

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Jaszczak S, Choroszewska A, Bentyn K (1970) a-Amino nitrogen concentrations in endometrial secretion and in blastocyst fluid between fertilization and implantation in rabbit. Pol Med J 9:1308–1315

    PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Kirchner C (1972) Uterine protease activities and lysis of the blastocyst covering in the rabbit. J Embryol Exp Morphol 28:177–183.

    PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Kirchner C, Mootz U (1974) Untersuchungen über die Auflösung der Keimhüllen beim Kaninchen: Der Einfluß des uterinen Milieus. Wilhelm Roux Arch Entwicklungsmech Org 174:172–180

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Kirchner C, Hirschhäuser C, Kionke M (1971) Protease activity in rabbit uterine secretion 24 hours before implantation. J Reprod Fertil 27:259–260

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Kühnel W, Beier HM, Petry G (1971) Untersuchungen zur hormonellen Regulation der Praeimplantationsphase der Gravidität. II. Histologische, topochemische und biochemische Analysen am hormonbehandelten, pseudograviden Kaninchenuterus. Cytobiologie 4:9–40

    Google Scholar 

  • Kwun JK, Emmens CW (1974) Implantation and pregnancy in the ovariectomized rabbit (Abstract). J Reprod Fertil 36:465–466

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Leroy F, Finn CA, Psychoyos A, Hubinont PO (1980) Blastocyst endometrium interrelationships. Prog Reprod Biol 7

    Google Scholar 

  • Lutwak-Mann C, Hay MF, Adams CE (1962) The effect of ovariectomy on rabbit blastocysts. J Endocrinol (Kbh) 24:185–197

    Google Scholar 

  • Maurer RR, Onuma H, Foote RH (1970) Viability of cultured and transferred rabbit embryos. J Reprod Fertil 21:417–422

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • McLaren A (1972) Endocrinology of implantation. Abstract, 1st South-East Asia and Oceana med. sci. Congr. Int. Plann, Parent, Fedn., Sydney, p 16

    Google Scholar 

  • Mintz B (1971) Control of embryo implantation and survival. In: Raspe G (ed) Schering symposium on intrinsic and extrinsic factors in early mammalian development, Venice 1970. Pergamon, Oxford; Vieweg, Braunschweig (Advances in the biosciences, vol. 6, pp 317–342)

    Google Scholar 

  • Moore NW (1975) Progesterone requirements for the maintenance of pregnancy in the ovariectomized ewe. J Reprod Fertil 43:386–387

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Murphy BD, Mead RA (1976) Effects of antibodies to oestrogens on implantation in ferrets. J Reprod Fertil 46:261–263

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Orsini MW, Psychoyos A (1965) Implantation of blastocysts transferred into progesterone treated virgin hamsters previously ovariectomized (Abstract) J Reprod Fertil 10:300–301

    Google Scholar 

  • Owers NO (1970) Comparison of the proteolytic activity of the implanting rat and guinea-pig blastocyst (Abstract). Anat Ree 166:358

    Google Scholar 

  • Owers NO (1971) Ingestive properties of guinea pig trophoblast grown in tissue culture: A possible lysosomal mechanism. In: Blandau RJ (ed) The biology of the blastocyst. The University of Chicago Press, Chicago London, pp 225–241

    Google Scholar 

  • Owers NO, Blandau RJ (1968) Enzymatic activities of implanting guinea pig embryos. Anat Ree 160:404

    Google Scholar 

  • Owers NO, Blandau RJ (1971) Proteolytic activity of the rat and guinea pig blastocyst in vitro. In: Blandau RJ (ed) The biology of the blastocyst. The University of Chicago Press, Chicago London, pp 207–223

    Google Scholar 

  • Petry G, Kühnel W, Beier HM (1970) Untersuchungen zur hormonellen Regulation der Praeimplantationsphase der Gravidität. I. Histologische, topochemische und biochemische Analysen am normalen Kaninchenuterus. Cytobiologie 2:1–32

    Google Scholar 

  • Pickworth S, Lamming GE (1967) Observations on pregnancy in intact rabbits and in ovariectomized rabbits treated with 17a-hydroxy-progesterone caproate. J Reprod Fertil 13:457–468

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Pinsker MC, Sacco AG, Mintz B (1974) Implantation-associated proteinase in mouse uterine fluid. Dev Biol 38:285–290

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Psychoyos A (1973) Endocrine control of egg implantation. In: Greep RO (ed) Female reproductive system. American Physiological Society, Washington (Handbook of physiology, vol II/2, sect 7, pp 187–215

    Google Scholar 

  • Rennie P, Davies J (1965) Implantation in the rabbit following administration of 20ohydroxypregnen-3-one and 20ß-hydroxypregnen-3-one. Endocrinology 76:535–537

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Ribbons DW, Brew K (eds) (1976) Proteolysis and physiological regulation. Academic Press, New York San Francisco London (Miami Winter symposia, vol 11)

    Google Scholar 

  • Rosenfeld MG, Joshi MS (1977) A possible role of a specific uterine fluid peptidase in implantation in the rat. J Reprod Fert 51:137–139

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Schumacher GFB, Swartwout JR, Zuspan FP (1971) Fertility experiments in mice and rabbits with the trypsin-kallikrein inhibitor from bovine lung. In: Fritz H, Tschesche H (eds) Proceedings of the international research conference on proteinase inhibitors, Munich 1970. de Gruyter, Berlin New York, pp 247–252

    Google Scholar 

  • Sherman MI, Salomon DS (1975) The relationships between the early mouse embryo and its environment. In: Markert CL, Papaconstantinou J (eds) The developmental biology of reproduction. Academic Press, New York San Francisco London, pp 277–309

    Google Scholar 

  • Spindle AI, Pedersen RA (1973) Hatching, attachment, and outgrowth of mouse blastocysts in vitro; fixed nitrogen requirements. J Exp Zool 186:305–318

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Strickland S, Reich E, Sherman MI (1976) Plasminogen activator in early embryogenesis: enzyme production by trophoblast and parietal endoderm. Cell 9:231–240

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Tauber PF, Wolf AS, Herting W, Zaneveld LJD (1977) Hemorrhage induced by intrauterine devices: control by local proteinase inhibition. Fertil Steril 28:1375–1377

    PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Weitlauf HM (1971) Influence of ovarian hormones in the incorporation of amino acids by blastocysts in vivo. In: Blandau RJ (ed) The biology of the blastocyst. University of Chicago Press, Chicago London, pp 277–290

    Google Scholar 

  • Winkle LJ van, Dabich D, Andary TJ (1972) Amino acid incorporation into normal and delayed implantation blastocysts (Abstract). J Cell Biol 55:266 A

    Google Scholar 

  • Wu DH, Allen WM (1959) Maintenance of pregnancy in castrated rabbits by 17-alpha-hydroxy-progesterone caproate and by progesterone. Fertil Steril 10:439–460

    PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Wu JT, Chang MC (1973) Hormonal requirement for implantation and embryonic development in the ferret. Biol Reprod 9: 350–355

    PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

Download references

Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Abteilung Anatomie der Medizinischen Fakultät, Rheinisch-Westfälische Technische Hochschule, Aachen, Germany

    H.-W. Denker

Authors
  1. H.-W. Denker
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

Editor information

Editors and Affiliations

  1. Abteilung Anatomie und Reproduktionsbiologie, Medizinische Fakultät der RWTH Aachen, D-5100, Aachen, Federal Republic of Germany

    Henning M. Beier

  2. Institut für Physiologische Chemie I, Medizinische Fakultät der Philipps-Universität, D-3550, Marburg/Lahn, Federal Republic of Germany

    Peter Karlson

Rights and permissions

Reprints and permissions

Copyright information

© 1982 Springer-Verlag Berlin Heidelberg

About this paper

Cite this paper

Denker, HW. (1982). Proteases of the Blastocyst and of the Uterus. In: Beier, H.M., Karlson, P. (eds) Proteins and Steroids in Early Pregnancy. Springer, Berlin, Heidelberg. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-642-67890-5_16

Download citation

  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-642-67890-5_16

  • Publisher Name: Springer, Berlin, Heidelberg

  • Print ISBN: 978-3-642-67892-9

  • Online ISBN: 978-3-642-67890-5

  • eBook Packages: Springer Book Archive

Publish with us

Policies and ethics

Search

Navigation