The activity of matrix metalloproteinase-2 and -9 in serum of pregnant and non-pregnant bitches.
The aim of this study was to investigate, whether the activity of matrix metalloproteinase (MMP)-2 and -9 in the serum of pregnant and non-pregnant bitches differs significantly. For this purpose, 81 blood samples were taken from pregnant bitches at days 5-13, 15-21, 24-31, 34-40 and 41-50 after mating, and 51 samples from non-pregnant animals at corresponding times. Relative enzyme activity, calculated as the percentage of serum enzyme activity on enzyme activity in a control sample, was determined with a commercially available assay after activation of serum MMPs with p-aminophenylmercuric acetate (APMA). In addition, serum oestradiol (E(2)) and progesterone (P(4)) concentrations were measured with an enzymeimmunoassay (EIA). In the pregnant bitches, at days 5-13 and 15-21 after mating, the mean activity of both MMPs was significantly higher than in non-pregnant animals (28.5% vs 24.5% and 27.7% vs 22.6%; p < 0.01). Moreover, in the pregnant bitches, significant correlations were detected between the serum enzyme activity and the serum concentrations of E(2) (-0.900; p < 0.05) and P(4) (+0.667; p < 0.05).
Schäfer-Somi
S
S
Clinic of Obstetrics, Gynecology and Andrology, University of Veterinary Medicine Vienna, Vienna, Austria. sabine.schaefer@vu-wien.ac.at
Ali Aksoy
O
O
Patzl
M
M
Findik
M
M
Erünal-Maral
N
N
Beceriklisoy
H B
HB
Polat
B
B
Aslan
S
S
D000818:Animals; D016022:Case-Control Studies; D004285:Dogs; D004971:Estrus / Q000097:blood*; D005260:Female; D020778:Matrix Metalloproteinase 2 / Q000097:blood*; D020780:Matrix Metalloproteinase 9 / Q000097:blood*; D011247:Pregnancy; D011270:Pregnancy, Animal / Q000097:blood*
D020778:Matrix Metalloproteinase 2; D020780:Matrix Metalloproteinase 9