title: A study of the uterine protein variations during the estrus cycle in the cow: a comparison with the serum proteins.
abstract: To investigate uterine protein changes during the estrus cycle in the bovine, 115 pluriparous genital tracts and blood samples were collected from the abattoir in Urmia. Genital tracts were considered healthy based on gross examination of the uterus and uterine histopathological findings. The phase of the estrus cycle was determined by the examination of the structures present on the ovaries and the uterine tonicity. Of the collected samples, 24 were pro-estrus, 21 estrus, 24 met-estrus and 46 diestrus. The uterus was incised and uterine fluid was collected by gentle scraping of the uterine mucosa with a curette. The total protein concentration, protein profiles (on agarose gel electrophoresis) in the uterine fluid were evaluated and compared with those of the serum. Total protein, alpha1, alpha2, beta1 and beta2 globulin values in the uterus were significantly higher than those of the serum (P<0.05), while, the albumin, gamma1 and gamma2 globulin values in the serum were higher than those of the uterus throughout the cycle. During pro-estrus, uterine fluid beta2 (1.96 g/dl) and serum gamma1 (1.07 g/dl) and gamma2 (1.27 g/dl) globulins were higher than those in the other phases of the cycle. During estrus, serum total protein was lower than the other phases (4.92 g/dl), which was considered to be due to a reduction in serum alpha1 (0.25 g/dl), gamma1 (0.65 g/dl) and gamma2 (0.64 g/dl) globulins in this phase. In met-estrus uterine fluid beta1 globulin was in the lowest (1.19 g/dl) and serum gamma2 globulin at a high level (1.24 g/dl). It was concluded that uterine proteins as well as serum proteins fluctuate during the estrus cycle and, except for the albumin and gamma globulins, its protein content is higher than the serum. During the follicular phase of the cycle uterine alpha globulins are higher than those in other phases, with an elevation in beta1 and a reduction in beta2 and gamma globulin values during estrus, which may reflect the preparation of the uterus for receiving spermatozoa for the conception in this phase.
authors.affiliation: Department of Clinical Sciences, School of Veterinary Medicine, Urmia University, Urmia 57153, Iran. m.alavi@mail.urmia.ac.ir
authors.forename: S M
authors.initials: SM
authors.lastname: Alavi-Shoushtari
authors.forename: S
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Asri-Rezai
authors.forename: J
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Abshenas
mesh_terms: D000510:Alpha-Globulins / Q000032:analysis; D000818:Animals; D001609:Beta-Globulins / Q000032:analysis; D001798:Blood Proteins / Q000032:analysis*; D001826:Body Fluids / Q000737:chemistry; D002417:Cattle / Q000097:blood / Q000378:metabolism*; D004587:Electrophoresis, Agar Gel; D030762:Estrous Cycle / Q000502:physiology*; D005260:Female; D011506:Proteins / Q000032:analysis / Q000378:metabolism*; D014599:Uterus / Q000378:metabolism*; D005719:gamma-Globulins / Q000032:analysis
chemical_list: D000510:Alpha-Globulins; D001609:Beta-Globulins; D001798:Blood Proteins; D011506:Proteins; D005719:gamma-Globulins