Composition of uterine flushings from Large White and prolific Chinese Meishan gilts

Abstract

This study examined differences in selected components of uterine secretions from Large White and prolific Chinese Meishan gilts during the oestrous cycle or early pregnancy. Total recoverable protein, uteroferrin (measured as acid phosphatase activity), acyl aminopeptidase, calcium, sodium, potassium, immunoglobulins A and G, glucose, fructose, oestradiol-17 beta, and prostaglandins F2 alpha (PGF2 alpha) and E2 (PGE2) in uterine flushings were measured. During the oestrous cycle, breed effects were detected only for total protein (P = 0.07), which tended to be higher for Large White gilts. However, for pregnant gilts, total recoverable glucose (P less than 0.05), fructose (P less than 0.05) sodium (P less than 0.05), immunoglobulin A (P less than 0.01), PGF (P less than 0.01), PGE (P less than 0.01), and acyl aminopeptidase (P less than 0.05) were greater in uterine flushings from Meishan gilts. Only uteroferrin was higher (P = 0.06) in uterine flushings from Large White gilts. Concentrations of prolactin were higher (P less than 0.05) in plasma from cyclic or pregnant Meishan gilts, but concentrations of total oestrogens and progesterone were not affected by pregnancy status or breed. These results suggest that Meishan conceptuses, individually or collectively, are more stimulatory to endometrial secretion and/or transport of the components of histotroph into the uterine lumen, or that the endometrium of Meishan gilts is more sensitive to conceptus signals responsible for the accumulation of histotroph in the uterine lumen.

Reproductive performance and uterine prostaglandin secretion in gilts conditioned with dead semen and receiving dietary supplements of folic acid

“…Therefore, stimulation of intra-uterine PGE 2 secretion could contribute to the inhibition of immune rejection of the embryo and to the increased survival of the embryo. In fact, uterine secretions of Meishan sows, known to have low embryonic mortality, contain three times more PGE 2 than those of Large White sows (Bazer et al 1991). Therefore, folic acid could act on embryonic survival, at least partially, by stimulating the immuno-protective activity of the uterus.…”

Select Nutrients in the Uterine Lumen of Sheep and Pigs Affect Conceptus Development

“…Although FGF7 is a unique SC-derived paracrine mediator of hormone-regulated epithelial growth and differentiation, the uterine luminal epithelium of the pig is unique in its expression of FGF7 in response to E2 with P4 being permissive to effects of E2 [62]. FGF7 binds to and activates FGFR2IIIb expressed by uterine epithelia and conceptus trophectoderm to increase cell proliferation, phosphorylated FGFR2IIIb, the MAPK cascade and expression of urokinase-typeplasminogen activator (PLAU), a marker for trophectoderm cell differentiation.From about Day 20 of pregnancy, FGF7 is expressed by uterine GE in response to P4 and is presumed to continue to affect uterine epithelia and conceptus development in pigs [63,64]. Indeed, P4 has profound effects on the expression of genes in pig uterine epithelia, particularly in the GE.…”

Luteinization and proteolysis in ovarian follicles of Meishan and Large White gilts during the preovulatory period

“…Breed (Legault and Caritez, 1983;Bolet et al, 1986). This appears to be largely due to an altered embryonic growth and improved embryonic development and survival (Bazer et al, 1988(Bazer et al, , 1991Simmen et al, 1989;Wilmut et al, 1992;Anderson et al, 1993), although additional alterations of ovulation rate have been identified in some studies (Ashworth et al, 1992, Haley andLee, 1993). However, the mechanisms involved in these differences have not been fully clarified.…”

“…This appears to be largely due to an altered embryonic growth and improved embryonic development and survival (Bazer et al, 1988(Bazer et al, , 1991 Simmen et al, 1989;Wilmut et al, 1992;Anderson et al, 1993) Immunostaining was performed according to the method described by Meduri et al (1996). This method is based on the formation of a streptavidin-biotin complex using the Vectastain ABC kit (Vector Laboratory, Burlingame, CA).…”