Secretory proteins of the hamster cervix, uterus and oviduct: the effects of estradiol, progesterone and testosterone on the proteins secreted into the medium

Identification of antimicrobial activity from goat cervical epithelium

1. In mammals, antimicrobial peptides are present in epithelial cells of the respiratory, gastrointestinal and urinogenital tracts. In the present study, we report the identification and partial characterization of an antimicrobial peptide in extracts prepared from goat cervical epithelial tissue. 2. The bioactivity, as determined by radial and disc diffusion assays, was identified in a peptide of molecular mass 4.5 kDa purified by cation exchange and gel filtration techniques. The purified peptide exhibited antibacterial activity against Escherichia coli (Gram-negative) as well as Bacillus subtilis (Gram-positive) bacteria. 3. The minimum inhibitory concentration of the peptide estimated by liquid broth assay for E. coli and B. subtilis suspensions was 31 and 50 microg/mL, respectively, a result implying that the peptide is more efficient in inhibiting Gram-negative than Gram-positive bacteria. 4. Because the peptide has no spermicidal activity, we propose that it is responsible for protecting the female genital tract against bacteria. 5. Whether the peptide has potentials for use in the cryopreservation, storage and transport of semen remains to be determined.

Sialic acid binding protein of human endometrium: its regulation by steroids

In the present study, we have observed that sialic acid binding protein (SABP - a 54 kDa glycoprotein which was isolated from human endometrial scrapings taken at various stages of the menstrual cycle from normal cycling females and purified to apparent homogeneity and was earlier reported from this laboratory) was found in sufficiently detectable amount in the endometrium of normal cycling women whereas it was found in lesser amount in tissue from women who have recently entered the postmenopause stage. SABP was observed in both follicular and luteal phase of menstrual cycle which was found by western blot analysis. In the de-novo synthesis experiment, synthesis and secretion of SABP was found to be stimulated by estradiol (E2) whereas progesterone (P4) was found to have no significant stimulatory effect on it which was also confirmed by HEC cell culture. In the HEC cell culture, priming of cells with E2 was found to influence the effect of P4 on SABP when it was added 2 h after E2 administration. This was observed by doing immunoprecipitation followed by SDS-PAGE and autoradiography. Hence this report clearly indicates that E2 regulates the synthesis and secretion of 54 kDa SABP from human endometrium. How E2 priming of endometrium influences the effect of P4 on SABP has been discussed.

31P NMR study of phosphorus containing metabolites in the uterus of hamster: changes during the estrous cycle and the effect of hormonal manipulation

Changes in the concentrations of phosphorus containing metabolites were monitored by 31P NMR in the uteri of hamsters during the estrous cycle. Concentrations of phosphocreatine (PCr) and ATP were significantly increased in estrus animals compared to diestrus animals. Concentrations of these metabolites were also increased in immature female hamsters and ovariectomized (OVX) adult hamsters treated with estradiol indicating that estradiol was responsible for this effect. However, the steroid hormones progesterone and testosterone did not increase the concentrations of the phosphorus containing metabolites. Further, immature female hamsters also following treatment with estradiol showed an initial decline in phosphomonoester (PME), PCr, ATP and inorganic phosphate but by 24 h of treatment the concentrations returned to control levels. The NMR study also revealed that the intracellular pH of the hamster uterus was around 7.4 all through the estrous cycle.