The activity of glycosidases (ß-N-Acetylglucosaminidase, a-N-Acetylgalactosaminidase and a L fucosidase) in the uterine luminal fluid and blood serum of the dromedary camel (camelus dromedarius) during the follicular cycle

Abstract

The activity of three glycosidases (β-N-acetylglucosaminidase, α-N-acetylgalactosaminidase and α-L-fucosidase) were estimated in the uterine fluid and serum throughout the follicular cycle of 24 slaughtered dromedary camels. These camels had ovaries bearing different size follicles (0.5-20mm) that grouped into group I (5-10 mm), group II (11-15 mm) and group III (16-20 mm). β-N-acetylglucosaminidase, α-N-acetylgalactosaminidase and α-L-fucosidase were determined in the uterine fluid and serum samples using ELISA kits. Results indicated that mean concentration of β-N-acetylglucosaminidase in uterine fluid was 3.33 ± 0.26, 2.73 ± 0.15, and 6.43 ± 1.41 ng/ml in Group I, II, and III, respectively. The level of α-N-acetylgalactosaminidase in uterine fluid was 3.21 ± 0.27, 2.22 ± 0.14, and 7.24 ± 1.45 ng/ml in Group I, II, and III, respectively. α-N-acetylgalactosaminidase concentration showed statistical differences (P<0.05) among the different groups. The value of α-L-fucosidase in uterine fluid was 435.00 ± 6.94, 340.00 ± 9.82, and 362.50 ± 31.92 pmol/ml in Group I, II, and III, respectively. The maximum mean activity of α-L-fucosidase (P<0.05) was reported in-group I. In group I, the concentrations of β-N-acetylglucosaminidase and α-N-acetylgalactosaminidase were significantly (P<0.05) higher in the uterine fluid than the blood serum. In-group II, the concentration of α-N-acetylgalactosaminidase in the serum was significantly higher (P<0.05) than in the uterine fluid. In-group III, β-N-acetylglucosaminidase, a-N-acetylgalactosaminidase and α-L-fucosidase concentrations were significantly (P<0.05) higher in uterine fluid than in the serum. The results proposed that β-N-acetylglucosaminidase, α-N-acetylgalactosaminidase and α-L-fucosidase might play a role in carbohydratemediated events in the uterus of dromedary camels.