THE INFLUENCE OF OVARIAN HORMONES ON SOME CHEMICAL CONSTITUENTS OF THE UTERINE WASHING OF THE RAT AND RABBIT

Abstract

SUMMARY: Uterine washings were recovered from intact rats and rabbits at different stages of the reproductive cycle and from spayed animals, some of which were treated with ovarian hormones. The washings were analysed for several chemical constituents. In the rat at oestrus there was a marked increase in both the amount of uterine fluid and in several chemical constituents of the uterine washing (sodium, potassium, nitrogen, carbohydrate). Similar significant increases were shown in spayed rats treated with oestradiol. The uterine washing from the rabbit contained significantly greater amounts of potassium, phosphorus, nitrogen and carbohydrate during the luteal phase (pseudopregnancy) than at oestrus. These increases were confirmed in spayed groups treated with progesterone alone or with oestradiol + progesterone and also with oestradiol replacement therapy which was probably caused by excessive dosage. These findings showed that ovarian hormones affected the composition of uterine washings and their significance is discussed.