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.