Microfluorometric study of glucose-6-phosphate and malate dehydrogenases in histologically defined areas of the uterus in cyclic and pregnant ewes

Abstract

Activities of glucose-6-phosphate dehydrogenase (E.C. 1.1.1.49; G6PDH) and malate dehydrogenase (E.C. 1.1.1.37; MDH) were determined fluorometrically in freeze-dried sections of the sheep uterus during the estrous cycle and pregnancy. Samples (0.2–0.3 μg) from the luminal epithelium, uterine glands, maternal caruncles, fetal cotyledons and intercotyledonary trophoblast were assayed in a small aliquot (5 μl) of the reaction medium under oil. Activity of G6PDH in the luminal epithelium, uterine glands and maternal caruncles did not change during the estrous cycle. Activity of MDH in the uterine glands did not change during the cycle, but in the luminal epithelium and maternal caruncles highest activities were found on day 9 and day 2 post-estrus, respectively. The enzyme activities in the fetal tissues were lower than in the maternal tissues. In all maternal tissues, MDH and G6PDH activities decreased during early pregnancy, but after implantation, the activities increased significantly. In fetal tissues G6PDH activity increased, whereas MDH activity decreased during the second half of gestation. These results suggest an increased rate of pentose shunt activity in both maternal and fetal tissues, and an increased rate of Krebs' cycle activity in the maternal but not in the fetal tissues.