[Immunology of the pre-implantation phase in pregnancy. Protein content and antigenic properties of the oviduct-secretion in mammals]

Abstract

The protein content and the antigenic properties of the mammalian oviduct The protein pattern of the oviductal fluid is similar to that of the serum. Some specific proteins of the oviduct are described. Reproduction can be influenced by immunological means. Antigens exist in the oviductal fluid and in the epithelial cells. The antibody content of the oviductal fluid remains low after active and passive immunization. The localizations of the antigen-antibody-reactions are discussed.

PIP: The oviduct is the site of gamete fusion, the 1st contact of the sex cells, making it important for immunological considerations in the preimplantation phase of pregnancy. In this respect, the proteins of the oviduct secretion acquire a special significance. The protein patterns of the oviduct fluid are similar to those of serum proteins. Rabbits have been used primarily in providing comparative pictures of the serum and oviduct electrophoresis of albumin, alpha globulin, beta globulin, transferrin, and gamma globulin ranges. As reproduction can be influenced by immunological means, through the action of antibodies on the gametes, the excretion of these has been studied in a variety of animals at various stages of the secretory cycle, and under the influence of immunization. The antibody content of the oviduct fluid remains low after both active and passive immunization. Antigen and antibody reactions have been noticed to be localized in the epithelium, depending on the stage of the secretory cycle.