Do oocytes use the plasminogen-plasmin system to remove supernumerary spermatozoa?
Our results describe a novel mechanism for the success or failure of fertilization in mammals, by which molecules present in the oviductal environment are activated by molecules originating within the gametes. We anticipate that therapeutic up- or down-regulation of this physiological mechanism may be used to help in conception or as a contraceptive tool. Since components of the PLG-PLA system are already available as drugs for heart attacks or cancer therapies, basic research on this novel function would be rapidly transferable for clinical application.
Important properties and functions of REC seem not to be affected by any VEGF-B variant and targeting the key factor VEGF-A is sufficient to normalize growth factor-disturbed cells of this type.