Sialic acid and neuraminidase activity in the frog oviduct: comparative biochemical investigation in the different tracts during the reproductive cycle.
1. A biochemical study was carried out on the protein-bound and lipid-bound sialic acid, and neuraminidase activity in the different tracts of the oviduct of the frog Rana esculenta during the reproductive cycle. 2. Plasma sexual steroids were also investigated by RIA. 3. Fluctuations in neuraminidase activity are related to that of glycoprotein sialic acid and plasma estradiol. Glycolipid sialic acid does not have a close relationship either with neuraminidase or plasma estradiol. 4. Very high plasma concentration of progesterone before ovulation and, on the contrary, its drop after ovulation were observed. 5. The results are discussed and hypotheses advanced to explain fluctuations of the studied parameters during the reproductive cycle.
Vitaioli
L
L
Department of Cellular Biology, University of Camerino, Italy.
Ricci
R
R
Bellini
L
L
Baldoni
E
E
Antuzzi
D
D
Bolognani
L
L
D000818:Animals; D004958:Estradiol / Q000097:blood; D005260:Female; D050356:Lipid Metabolism; D019158:N-Acetylneuraminic Acid; D009439:Neuraminidase / Q000378:metabolism*; D010057:Oviducts / Q000201:enzymology* / Q000378:metabolism; D011374:Progesterone / Q000097:blood; D011485:Protein Binding; D011863:Radioimmunoassay; D011893:Rana esculenta; D012098:Reproduction / Q000502:physiology*; D012794:Sialic Acids / Q000378:metabolism*
D012794:Sialic Acids; D011374:Progesterone; D004958:Estradiol; D009439:Neuraminidase; D019158:N-Acetylneuraminic Acid