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Effects of Dietary Protein Restriction on Porcine Uterine Protein Secretions^{1 ,2,}

Ohio Agricultural Research and Development Center, Wooster 44691

Abstract

Thirty-eight crossbred gilts were used in two experiments to determine the effect of dietary protein restriction on uterine secretory function. In experiment I, seven gilts were fed a diet devoid of protein (NP-1) while seven additional gilts were fed a control 14% protein diet (C-1). Serum protein concentrations were measured monthly in all gilts. When the mean serum concentration of the NP-1 group was lower than that in the C-1 group, uterine secretions were obtained on day 15 of an estrous cycle. Most gilts in the NP-1 group required exogenous gonadotrophin induction of ovulation. After these gilts recovered from laparotomy 1 month, each was artificially inseminated to evaluate their ability to become pregnant. Quantity of uterine secretory protein was not different between the NP-1 group and C-1 group; however, a smaller proportion of gilts in the NP-1 group were pregnant than in the C-1 group. In experiment II, three groups of eight gilts were formed. One group was fed a protein-free diet (NP-2), a second group was fed a 2% protein diet (LP-2) and a third group was fed the control 14% protein diet (C-2). Serum protein and progesterone concentrations were measured on day 12 of each estrous cycle. After approximately 122 days on the diets, the gilts were killed and uterine secretions were obtained. As occurred in experiment I, protein deprived gilts required exogenous gonadotrophin to induce estrus. Serum progesterone and uterine secretory protein were not different among the groups in experiment II, but the protein concentration was higher (P<.001) in serum of gilts in the C-2 group than those in the NP-2 or LP-2 groups. Uterine histological parameters examined were unaffected by the treatments, although luminal epithelial cell height was lower in uteri form gilts in the LP-2 group than those from gilts in the NP-2 or C-2 groups. It was concluded that uterine capacity for protein secretion is maintained, in spite of severe dietary protein restriction, even though exogenous gonadotrophins are required to induce estrus.

¹ Approved for publication as Journal Article No. 167–78 of the Ohio Agricultural Research and Development Center, Wooster 44691.

² The authors appreciate the excellent technical assistance of Kathleen Luce, Ted Bullock, F. A Vance and R. B. Gibbs. The assistance and cooperation of Dr. R. F. Cross, Department of Veterinary Science is also gratefully acknowledged.

³ Department of Animal Science, OARDC.

⁴ Department of Animal Science, North Carolina Agricultural and Technical State University. Supported by a grant from the United States Department of Agriculture Science and Education Administration (No. 616-15-138).