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RESEARCH ARTICLE
Contents Vol 22(4)

Effects of changes in the concentration of systemic progesterone on ions, amino acids and energy substrates in cattle oviduct and uterine fluid and blood

S. A. Hugentobler A B , J. M. Sreenan A , P. G. Humpherson C , H. J. Leese C , M. G. Diskin A and D. G. Morris A D
+ Author Affiliations
- Author Affiliations

A Animal Bioscience Department, Teagasc, Mellows Campus, Athenry, Galway, Ireland.

B Department of Physiology, National University of Ireland Galway, University Road, Galway, Ireland.

C Department of Biology, University of York, York YO10 5YW, UK.

D Corresponding author. Email: dmorris@teagasc.ie

Reproduction, Fertility and Development 22(4) 684-694 https://doi.org/10.1071/RD09129
Submitted: 28 May 2009  Accepted: 30 September 2009   Published: 25 March 2010

Abstract

Early embryo loss is a major factor affecting the conception rate in cattle. Up to 40% of cattle embryos die within 3 weeks of fertilisation while they are nutritionally dependent on oviduct and uterine fluids for their survival. Inadequate systemic progesterone is one of the factors contributing to this loss. We have characterised the effects of changes in systemic progesterone on amino acid, ion and energy substrate composition of oviduct and uterine fluids on Days 3 and 6, respectively, of the oestrus cycle in cattle. Oviduct and uterine fluids were collected in situ following infusion of progesterone. There was no effect of progesterone on oviduct fluid secretion rate; however, uterine fluid secretion rate was lowered. Progesterone increased uterine glucose, decreased oviduct sulfate and, to a lesser degree, oviduct sodium, but had no effect on any of the ions in the uterus. The most marked effect of progesterone was on oviducal amino acid concentrations, with a twofold increase in glycine, whereas in the uterus only valine was increased. These results provide novel information on the maternal environment of the early cattle embryo and provide further evidence of progesterone regulation of oviduct amino acid concentrations in cattle.

Additional keywords: development, embryo, endometrium.


Acknowledgements

The authors thank Ms A. Glynn and Messrs P. Joyce, W. Connolly and J. Nally for technical assistance and Messrs G. Burke and P. Crevan for care of the animals. This research was funded, in part, by the Research Stimulus Fund of the Department of Agriculture, Food and Rural Development, Agriculture House, Dublin, Ireland.


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