Components of the extracellular matrix take part in tissue rebuilding as well as activating surface-bound growth factors. In the present study, expression and selected activities of urokinase-type plasminogen activator (uPA), matrix metalloproteinases (MMPs), their inhibitors (plasminogen activator inhibitor 1 (PAI-1) and tissue inhibitors of metalloproteinases (TIMPs)) were examined in bovine oviducts by RT--PCR, ribonuclease protection assay and activity assays. A high content of mRNA encoding for uPA was detected before ovulation with a three-fold decrease after ovulation. In contrast, PAI-1 expression appeared to be stable during the oestrous cycle. Oviductal flushings produced caseinolytic zones in zymograms containing plasminogen at approximately 50 kDa and 28 kDa. An activity assay for uPA showed highest net activity during the early to mid-luteal phase. Increased TIMP-1 and MMP-2 mRNA concentrations were found around the time of ovulation compared with the luteal phase. In contrast, MMP-1 mRNA transcripts were enriched during the early to mid-luteal phase. Gelatin zymograms detected a 70--72 kDa protease activity showing an oestrous cycle-dependent activity with highest activity before ovulation. Reverse zymography detecting TIMPs revealed proteins between 21 kDa and 24 kDa. Only for the smallest (21 kDa) protein were amounts increased around the time of ovulation compared with the luteal phase. The observation that several extracellular matrix components were regulated distinctly in bovine oviducts indicates that local interactions between these components, growth factors, gametes and the embryo are possible and may influence fertilization and early embryonic development.