Proteins and enzymes in uterine lavage fluid of postpartum and nonparturient mares.
Abstract: Uterine lavage fluids from postpartum and nonparturient mares were compared to determine when the normal secretory capacity of the postpartum uterus is restored. Lavage fluids were obtained from cyclic nonparturient mares on the second, fourth or fifth day of oestrus, and 3, 8, or 14 days after ovulation (seven mares/sampling day). Twelve intact postpartum mares were sampled 1 to 28 days postpartum (group A: 1, 6, 12 and 20; group B: 2, 8, 14 and 24; group C: 4, 10, 16 and 28 days postpartum; four mares/group). Three ovariectomized (OVX) postpartum mares were sampled as mares in group C. Samples were analysed for neutrophils, bacteria, total protein concentration, proteolytic and antiproteolytic activities and for various lysosomal enzyme activities. In nonparturient mares, activities of acid phosphatase, beta-glucuronidase (B-Gase), and N-acetyl-beta-D-glucosaminidase (NAGase) in uterine lavage fluids were significantly higher in mid- and late-dioestrus than in mid- to late-oestrus (p < 0.05). Lysozyme concentration, trypsin-inhibitor capacity (TIC), and plasmin activity were below the detection limit in nonparturient mares. One to four days postpartum, total protein, acid phosphatase, B-Gase, and NAGase were high but declined rapidly thereafter. Lysozyme and plasmin activities were high 1 to 6 days postpartum. TIC peaked around day 6 postpartum. On day 16 postpartum, acid phosphatase, B-Gase, and NAGase, being progesterone-dependent, tended to be higher in intact mares than in OVX ones (p < 0.1). Total protein and lysozyme concentrations, TIC, and B-Gase (p < 0.01) and acid phosphatase (p < 0.05) activities were significantly higher in parturient mares during postpartum oestrus than in oestrous nonparturient mares. High total protein concentration and TIC, and detectable lysozyme and plasmin activities during postpartum oestrus were associated with uterine inflammation. During dioestrus, differences between postpartum and nonparturient mares were not statistically significant and suggested that the endometrium of postpartum mares had resumed its normal secretory capacity by this time.
Publication Date: 2002-10-02 PubMed ID: 12354177DOI: 10.1046/j.1439-0531.2002.00315.xGoogle Scholar: Lookup
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- Journal Article
Summary
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The research investigates the differences in proteins and enzymes in uterine lavage fluids of postpartum and nonparturient mares to determine when the uterus resumes its regular function after birth.
Objective of the Research
- The primary objective of this research was to understand when the uterus restores its normal secretory ability after giving birth. It was done by comparing uterine lavage fluids from postpartum (after childbirth) and nonparturient (not having given birth) mares.
Methodology
- Uterine fluids were taken from nonparturient mares during different phases of their estrus and post-ovulation cycle, and from postpartum mares at various intervals following childbirth.
- The fluids were primarily tested for any presence of neutrophils, bacteria, total protein concentration, proteolytic and antiproteolytic activities, and the activities of a number of lysosomal enzymes.
- The changes in these factors were then compared between the two groups of mares.
Key Findings
- The activities of certain enzymes such as acid phosphatase, B-Gase, and NAGase were found to be increased in nonparturient mares during mid- and late-dioestrus phase compared to mid- to late-estrus phase.
- In postpartum mares, high levels of total protein, acid phosphatase, B-Gase, and NAGase were found immediately after birth (1 to 4 days) but these decreased rapidly afterwards.
- Activities of lysozyme and plasmin were high for the initial six days postpartum, and the activity of trypsin-inhibitor capacity (TIC) peaked around the sixth day after parturition.
- On the 16th day after giving birth, intact postpartum mares exhibited higher enzyme activities compared to mares that had undergone ovariectomy (OVX).
- In parturient mares during postpartum estrus, higher protein and lysozyme concentrations, TIC, and other enzyme activities were observed compared to nonparturient mares. These factors were related to uterine inflammation during postpartum estrus.
- By the dioestrus phase, no significant differences were noted between postpartum and nonparturient mares, indicating the normalization of the endometrium in postpartum mares.
Conclusion
- The research concludes that postpartum mares resume their normal uterine secretory functionality during the dioestrus phase. These findings are based on the observed similarities in enzyme and protein levels between postpartum and nonparturient mares by this stage.
Cite This Article
APA
Reilas T, Katila T.
(2002).
Proteins and enzymes in uterine lavage fluid of postpartum and nonparturient mares.
Reprod Domest Anim, 37(5), 261-268.
https://doi.org/10.1046/j.1439-0531.2002.00315.x Publication
Researcher Affiliations
- Agricultural Research Centre, Equine Research, Ypäjä, Finland.
MeSH Terms
- Acetylglucosaminidase / metabolism
- Acid Phosphatase / metabolism
- Animals
- Estrus / metabolism
- Female
- Glucuronidase / metabolism
- Horses / metabolism
- Ovulation Detection / veterinary
- Postpartum Period
- Pregnancy
- Pregnancy, Animal / metabolism
- Proteins / metabolism
- Therapeutic Irrigation / veterinary
- Time Factors
- Trypsin Inhibitors / metabolism
- Uterus / enzymology
- Uterus / metabolism
- Uterus / microbiology
Citations
This article has been cited 4 times.- Rivera Del Alamo MM, Reilas T, Lukasik K, Galvão AM, Yeste M, Katila T. Inflammatory Markers in Uterine Lavage Fluids of Pregnant, Non-Pregnant, and Intrauterine Device Implanted Mares on Days 10 and 15 Post Ovulation. Animals (Basel) 2021 Dec 8;11(12).
- Martí A, Serrano A, Pastor J, Rigau T, Petkevičiuté U, Calvo MÀ, Arosemena EL, Yuste A, Prandi D, Aguilar A, Rivera Del Alamo MM. Endometrial Status in Queens Evaluated by Histopathology Findings and Two Cytological Techniques: Low-Volume Uterine Lavage and Uterine Swabbing. Animals (Basel) 2021 Jan 5;11(1).
- Tsiligianni T, Amiridis GS, Vainas E. Activity of glycosidases (beta-N-acetyloglucosaminidase, alpha-mannosidase, and beta-galactosidase) in the uterine luminal fluid of cows after multiple ovulation. Can J Vet Res 2007 Oct;71(4):300-4.
- Li Y, Wang Z, Andersen CL, Ye X. Functions of Lysosomes in Mammalian Female Reproductive System. Reprod Dev Med 2020 Apr;4(2):109-122.
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