Skip to main content
ARS Home » Plains Area » Clay Center, Nebraska » U.S. Meat Animal Research Center » Livestock Bio-Systems » Research » Publications at this Location » Publication #300168
Title: Global changes in uterine protein secretion are associated with differences in the number of antral follicles in heifers

Author
item Vallet, Jeff
item Cushman, Robert - Bob
item McNeel, Anthony
item Wright, Elane
item LARIMORE, ERIN - South Dakota State University
item Miles, Jeremy
item Chase, Chadwick - Chad
item Lents, Clay
item WOOD, JENNIFER - University Of Nebraska
item CUPP, ANDREA - University Of Nebraska
item PERRY, GEORGE - South Dakota State University

Submitted to: Midwestern Section of the American Society of Animal Science
Publication Type: Abstract Only
Publication Acceptance Date: 1/22/2014
Publication Date: 3/1/2014
Citation: Vallet, J.L., Cushman, R.A., McNeel, A.K., Wright, E.C., Larimore, E., Miles, J.R., Chase, C.C., Lents, C.A., Wood, J.R., Cupp, A.S., Perry, G.A. 2014. Global changes in uterine protein secretion are associated with differences in the number of antral follicles in heifers [abstract]. Journal of Animal Science. 92(Supplement 2):89 (Abstract #200).

Interpretive Summary:

Technical Abstract: The numbers of antral follicles on the ovary have been reported to be associated with differences in fertility in beef cattle. To further explore potential mechanisms for these differences, an experiment was undertaken to determine the association between numbers of antral follicles and differences in uterine protein secretion in beef heifers. Using ultrasonography, the number of antral follicles was determined twice (March and April, 2013) in beef heifers (n = 104; 10-12 mo of age), which had been developed from weaning on a standard USMARC heifer development diet (65% mature weight by breeding). From the heifers determined to be cycling in April (presence of a corpus luteum at ultrasound), 10 heifers with the greatest and 10 heifers with the least antral follicles were identified. These heifers were synchronized with two injections of prostaglandin F2alpha given 11 days apart and slaughtered on day 15-16 of the subsequent estrous cycle. After slaughter, the uterus was flushed with 20 mL 0.9% saline. Uterine flushings were measured for total uterine protein using a bicinchoninic acid procedure. Flushings were dialyzed (10 mM Tris, pH 8.0) and then aliquots were lyophilized and subjected to SDS-PAGE (0.5 mL) and 2D-PAGE (1 mL). Gels were stained with coomassie, imaged, and protein bands or spots were quantified using densitometry. Of the 10 heifers in each group, 7 high and 8 low group heifers responded appropriately to estrous synchronization and were in diestrus. Retrospectively, the number of antral follicles determined by ultrasound differed between the high and low groups (33 ± 2.1 and 15.2 ± 1.9, respectively; P < 0.01). Total uterine protein concentration also differed between high and low groups (524 ± 47 and 293 ± 44 µg/ml, respectively; P < 0.05). After SDS-PAGE, densitometry was measured on 11 protein bands. All but one band (corresponding to serum albumin) differed between high and low groups (high group 39-71% greater than low group; P < 0.05). After 2D-PAGE, densitometry was measured on 223 spots. Of these, 66 spots were greater (P < 0.05) in high compared to low groups, no spots were greater in low compared to high groups. These results suggest a generalized increase in uterine protein secretion in heifers with greater numbers of antral follicles. Possible mechanisms for this increase include greater prepubertal uterine gland development or increased stimulation of uterine protein secretion during the estrous cycle. Greater uterine protein secretion could contribute to the previously reported increased fertility of beef heifers with more antral follicles.