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.

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

The present study was directed towards identification of proteins synthesized and secreted by the cervix, uterus and oviduct of immature hamsters and by the uterus of ovariectomized adult hamsters. Hamsters were treated with estradiol, progesterone or testosterone for 3 consecutive days after which the tissues were incubated in vitro and [35S]methionine labelled proteins were analyzed by sodium dodecyl sulfate polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis. The results demonstrate a great degree of similarity between the proteins synthesized and secreted by the cervix, uterus and oviduct of hamsters. Treatment of hamsters with estradiol consistently increased the synthesis of a 60 kDa protein in the cervix, uterus and oviduct. Further, estradiol also consistently suppressed the synthesis of a 14, 30 and 72 kDa protein in the uterus but not in the cervix and oviduct. In the cervix, in addition to the 60 kDa protein estradiol also induced the synthesis of two other proteins (a 38 and 56 kDa protein). Testosterone and progesterone did not induce or suppress the synthesis of the secretory proteins in the hamster cervix, uterus and oviduct. In hamster the 60 kDa protein could serve as a marker of gene expression following hormone action.

Computerized analysis of the motility parameters of hamster spermatozoa during maturation

A computer-aided semen analysis system was used for the objective assessment of hamster spermatozoa during epididymal maturation. The caput epididymal spermatozoa were extremely sluggish, achieved very little progression, and the three velocity parameters, namely curvilinear velocity (VCL), progressive velocity (VSL), and path velocity (VAP), were low. These spermatozoa during progressive movement alternated between the linear shape and "U" shape or attained an "S" shape prior to changing to the "U" shape. The corpus epididymal spermatozoa were faster, displayed greater VSL, VAP, and VCL compared to caput epididymal spermatozoa, and during forward motility, attained "U," "C," and (or) "?" shape as in the wriggling motility pattern. The proximal cauda epididymal spermatozoa were actively motile and VSL, VAP, and VCL in these spermatozoa were more than 10 times greater compared to the caput epididymal spermatozoa. The proximal cauda epididymal spermatozoa predominantly moved in circles and with time became slower and more circular in their trajectories and exhibited a reduction in LIN (linearity). The distal cauda epididymal spermatozoa were very similar to the proximal cauda epididymal spermatozoa with respect to their fast motility (VSL, VAP, and VCL are similar) and beat cross frequency (BCF), but showed larger values for STR (straightness) and LIN and moved along curved trajectories. The amplitude of lateral head displacement (ALH) was also considerably lower in the distal cauda epididymal spermatozoa compared to the proximal cauda epididymal spermatozoa. Thus, this study provides for the first time data related to seven motility parameters for caput and corpus epididymal spermatozoa of hamster. It also provides additional data with respect to VCL, LIN, BCF, and ALH for proximal and distal cauda epididymal spermatozoa of hamster.