Proteins of Follicular, Bursal and Ampullar Fluids of Rats

Abstract

The composition of the fluids which form the milieus of the oocyte were compared. Fluids for analysis were obtained from: Graafian follicles of proestrous adult rats and of PMS[pregnant mare serum]-treated immature rats; the swollen bursae ovaricae of postovulatory adult rats, and the oviducal ampullae of postovulatory adult rats. Blood for plasma was also taken from all rats. The fluids were compared regarding concentration of protein, electrophoretic pattern of proteins in disc electrophoresis and pattern of proteins after isoelectric focusing. The order of decreasing protein concentration was: follicular fluid > plasma > bursal fluid > ampullar fluid. Proteins of follicles and bursa were similar or identical to plasma proteins, but oviducal proteins showed a different pattern. The concentration of protein in follicular fluids was not correlated with concentration in plasma. A mathematical analysis suggested a dual origin for oviducal fluid proteins, namely, a small volume of concentrated solution which is diluted to varying degrees by a protein-poor fluid.