Acid phosphatase and leucine aminopeptidase activity in the uterine flushings of non-pregnant and pregnant gilts

Abstract

The activities of uteroferrin, measured as acid phosphatase (AP), and an aminoacylpeptidase (AA) were measured in uterine flushings collected from gilts on Days 6, 8, 10, 12, 14, 15, 16 and 18 of the oestrous cycle and pregnancy (N = 37). Changes in AP (P < 0.05) were associated with day for both specific and total AP in non-pregnant and pregnant gilts. For pregnant and non-pregnant gilts, AP activity was greatest between Days 14 and 16 and then decreased to Day 18. The AA specific activity increased (P < 0.01) between Days 10 and 12 of the oestrous cycle and pregnancy, but neither effects of pregnancy nor day by pregnancy status interaction were detected. The AA total activity was greater for pregnant gilts (P < 0.01). These data suggest an inhibitory effect of oestrogens of blastocyst origin on synthesis and/or secretion of uteroferrin, but not AA.