Free Amino Acid Content of Ewe Uterine Fluid Under Various Hormonal Treatments During Early Pregnancy

Abstract

SUMMARYFree amino acids are dosed in ewe uterine secretions collected by absorption on paper strips during early pregnancy (8-i6 days p.c.). Three groups of animals were studied : control, superovulated and progesterone-treated.As in the doe rabbit, uterine secretions are very rich in free amino acids, especially glutamic acid + glutamine and glycine. However, the glycine level drops after day 8 p.c. ; this causes a decrease in the total amount, and the best equilibrium in the relative percentage of all the different amino acids.Hormonal treatment seems to modify the normal evolution.Some unknown ninhydrin-positive compounds, probably peptides, are present in uterine secretions.