Effects of Superovulation and Unilateral Ovariectomy-Hysterectomy on Porcine Uterine Protein Secretions

Abstract

IN order to evaluate the effect of unilateral ovariectomy-hysterectomy (UHOX) and superovulation (PMS) on porcine uterine protein secretions, 24 gilts were randomly assigned to three treatment groups: Control, Superovulated (1,200 IU PMS, IM, on day 16 of the estrous cycle) and UHOX. On day IS of the estrous cycle, prior to treatment, uterine protein secretions were obtained from each gilt by flushing each uterine horn with 20 ml of 0.33 M NaCl. The flushings were centrifuged, filtered, concentrated, dialyzed and total protein determined. Uterine flushings were again collected on day 15 of each gilt's second post-surgery estrous cycle. Total protein recovered from the C gilts at the first and second flushing was not significantly different (61.0±4.4 vs. 60.0±4.2 mg). Superovulation resulted in a highly significant (P< .01) increase in total uterine protein when compared to that in the pre-treatment flushing (75.0±5.3 vs. 132.0±8.6 mg). In the UHOX groups, total protein recovered at the first flushing from two uterine horns (71.1±7.6 mg) was not significantly different from the post-treatment flushing from the one uterine horn (64.5±7.0 mg). Sephadex G-200 gel filtration protein profiles indicated five protein fractions which were not affected by treatment. Total protein was related to ovulation rate (approximately 5 mg protein/CL). These data indicate that compensatory uterine protein secretion occurs following either superovulation with PMS or UHOX and is associated with the number of corpora lutea and total CL weight. Copyright © 1973. American Society of Animal Science . Copyright 1973 by American Society of Animal Science.