Activity of alkaline and acidic phosphatase in glandular cells of uterine endometrium of puerperal ewes after exposure to polychlorinated biphenyls

Abstract

The study is focused on the observation of alkaline and acidic phosphatase activity in the glandular cells of uterine endometrium in puerperal ewes after exposure to polychlorinated biphenyls. Ewes of Slovak merino breed (n=25) divided into 2 groups were included in the experiment. The animals in the experimental group (n=14) and control group (n=11) were euthanised on day 17, 25 and 34 postpartum. The ewes in the experimental group were given per os capsules of the chemical preparation Delor 105 of domestic proveniance containing polychlorinated biphenyls (PCB) for a period of 30 days. This preparation is equivalent to the foreign preparation Aroclor 1254. A dose of 100 µg/kg of Delor 105 was given to the animals of the experimental group. These animals were euthanised on day 17 postpartum (n=4) i. e. 5 days from the end of a 30-day period of application; on day 25 postpartum (n=5) i.e. 17 days from the last application of PCB; on day 34 postpartum (n=5), which was equivalent to day 28 from the last application. The ewes from the control group were euthanised on day 17 (n=3), day 25 (n=4) and on day 34 (n-4) postpartum. When evaluating alkaline phosphatase (ALP) activity in the glandular cells of the endometrium in the control group, a statistically significant increase (P<0.01) was observed on day 25 and on day 34 (P<0.001) compared to day 17 postpartum. No statistically significant differences in alkaline phosphatase (ALP) activity were observed (P>0.05) in the experimental group. The mean values of its activity in the observed period were below the level of values of day 17 in the control group. Acidic phosphatase activity in the glandular cells of the ewes' endometrium showed a statistically conclusive increase between day 17 and day 25 as well as day 34 postpartum (P<0.001). Acidic phosphatase density in the experimental group of ewes showed no statistically marked change (P>0.05) at the observed intervals postpartum. The discussion is focused on PCB effect on the activity of alkaline and acidic phosphatase in the glandular cells of the endometrium of ewes in the puerperal period.