Role of plasminogen activators and inhibitors in reproduction

The recent progress in the studies on the role of local and directed fibrinolysis controlled by plasminogen activators (PAs) and regulated by their inhibitors (PAIs) in reproduction is summarized. Hormone-induced coordinated expression of tissue type PA (tPA) and PAI type-1 (PAI-1) in the ovary is involved in the processes of ovulation and luteal regression; increases in urokinase type PA (uPA) and PAI-1 activity in the early stage of luteinized follicles may be responsible for ovarian tissue remodeling and angiogenesis; the PA system has been found to play an important role in spermatogenesis in testis and modulation of sperm maturation in epididymis. PA and matrix matalloproteanase (MMP) and their respective inhibitors have also been identified in trophoblast and uterus. The targeted proteolytic activity generated by the two systems may play an essential role in the processes of the cyclic uterine angiogenesis, implantation and placentation as well as parturition.