title: Alkaline phosphatase activities and progesterone concentrations in uterine flushings of dairy cows: side-effects and variations during oestrous cycle.
abstract: After evisceration at an abattoir, both uterine horns of barren cows were flushed using 30 ml of Dulbecco's phosphate buffered saline (trial 1, 49 cows) or 10 ml sterile saline (0.9%, trial 2, 22 cows). Blood was collected from the animals' hearts (trial 2). Activities of alkaline phosphatase and progesterone concentrations (trial 2) were determined in uterine flushings and serum. In uterine flushings, both parameters exhibited a significant cyclic pattern, while in serum, only progesterone concentrations showed cyclic fluctuations. Alkaline phosphatase activities in uterine flushings taken ipsilateral to a corpus luteum were significantly higher than in materials obtained from the contralateral horn during dioestrus and prooestrus. A similar tendency was obvious for progesterone concentrations. All parameters but serum alkaline phosphatase activity were positively correlated with each other. The results suggest a close relationship between a progesterone secreting corpus luteum and metabolic as well as hormonal parameters evaluated in flushings of the ipsilaterally situated uterine horn. Transfer of progesterone via the blood vessels and lymphatics within the ligamentum latum uteri may be the cause of the between-side-effects detected.
authors.forename: G
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Wittkowski
authors.forename: A
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Boos
authors.forename: J
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Ehlers
authors.forename: L G
authors.initials: LG
authors.lastname: Roming
mesh_terms: D000469:Alkaline Phosphatase / Q000378:metabolism*; D000818:Animals; D002417:Cattle / Q000378:metabolism*; D004971:Estrus / Q000378:metabolism*; D005260:Female; D011374:Progesterone / Q000032:analysis* / Q000097:blood; D014599:Uterus / Q000201:enzymology / Q000378:metabolism*
chemical_list: D011374:Progesterone; D000469:Alkaline Phosphatase