Changes in the protein content of mouse uterine flushings during normal pregnancy and delayed implantation, and after ovariectomy and oestradiol administration

Abstract

Summary. The protein content of the mouse uterine lumen increased significantly (P < 0\m=.\001) on Day 4 of pregnancy, the day of implantation. This increase was associated with the presence of 14 serum and 22 non-serum proteins in the lumen; the major serum proteins were classed as high molecular weight slow \g=a\-globulins, while the dominant non-serum components consisted of slow and fast \g=a\-globulins, 6 prealbumins and a large quantity of proteinaceous material migrating near the origin of the gels.During experimental and lactational delayed implantation the protein levels were constantly low, transferrin, haemoglobin and albumin dominating the protein pattern. After administration of oestradiol-17\g=b\,however, a biphasic uterine response was detected, significant increases in luminal protein concentration being observed within 12 h and again at 40\p=n-\48h after injection. The first phase of this response involved an influx of serum and non-serum proteins into the uterine lumen, most proteins migrating as high molecular weight slow \g=a\-globulins. The second phase involved an increase in the intensity of many non-serum components, the major proteins having Ra values of 0\m=.\06,0\m=.\10and 0\m=.\32.The qualitative, but not the quantitative, aspects of this response to oestradiol were identical in the absence of blastocysts.

Whole protein uptake and metabolism by mouse blastocysts

“…In other cells, this process occurs by lysosomal activity and the only labelled product is 125I-labelled tyrosine (Livesey & Williams, 1981;Kooistra & Lloyd, 1985). Further Aitken, 1977;Pratt, 1977) and volume (~4 pi Edirisinghe & Wales, 1980; 0-2 pi: Hoversland & Weitlauf, 1981) of flushings of mouse uteri yield an estimated protein concentration of about 10 mg/ml, which is close to that found for rabbit oviduct fluid (5 mg/ml: Shapiro, Jentsch & Yard, 1971). The uptake rate at this concentration (Fig.…”

On the source of uterine 'luminal fluid' proteins in the mouse

“…Thus changing profiles of 'luminal fluid' proteins which have been interpreted as reflecting altered patterns of synthesis or secretion, and invoked as playing a crucial role in the regulation of implantation in mice (Aitken, 1979), probably largely reflect changing patterns of damage produced by flushing. In particular, rupture of stromal blood vessels could account for increased 'secretion' of serum proteins into the lumen between Days 4 and 5 of pregnancy (Gore-Langton & Surani, 1976;Aitken, 1977 , and treatment with progesterone plus oestrogen which induces further uterine closure (Pollard & Finn, 1973), possibly as a result of increased adhesiveness of the epithelial cell surface (Nilsson, 1967), would greatly increase luminal resistance to passage of fluids and the hydrostatic pressures developed during flushing.…”

“…Uteri were flushed rapidly (3-4 sec) with various volumes and fluids including: 0-5 ml 0-001 mTris-glycine buffer, exactly as described by Aitken (1977): phosphate-buffered saline (PBS) or 0-9% (w/v) NaCl.…”

“…Samples of such proteins are usually obtained by flushing the lumen (Surani, 1975(Surani, , 1977 Gore-Langton & Surani, 1976;Pratt, 1977;Aitken, 1977). I had been puzzled by the large amounts of material so obtained from mouse uteri on Days 4-5 of pregnancy, because at this time the lumen virtually disappears, the luminal epithelial surfaces coming into such close proximity that the microvilli of the opposing surfaces interdigitate or disappear (Mayer, Nilsson & Reinius, 1967;.…”

Cystathionine β-synthase deficiency causes infertility by impairing decidualization and gene expression networks in uterus implantation sites

“…A2mp endoprotease inhibitor and vehicle for different growth factors such as vascular endothetial, placental, and platelet-derived; proposed to have role in regulating the rate at which trophoblast invasion proceeds (13,18) proposed to have predictive and diagnostic value for preeclampsia Afp Alfa-fetoprotein infertility in Afp-KO females due to dysfunction of the hypothalamic/pituitary system and anovulation (7,12,14) protects Ttr Prealbumin, thyroxine-binding, TBPA, PALB plays a role in maternal-fetal thyroid hormone transport and increases at implantation sites (3,8,33,52) produces a receptive endometrium during the luteal phase higher oxidative stress in preeclampsia is major destabilizing factor of functional dimeric TTR form in women mouse model of reproductive failure after a correct implantation, we have identified novel gene changes taking place in failing pregnancies and their potential gene network. Furthermore, these gene expression changes were associated with pregnancy failure.…”