Purification and immunohistology of a glycoprotein secreted from the rabbit uterus before implantation.

Two antigens of the beta-glycoprotein fraction from rabbit uterine secretion of the seventh day post coitum were purified firstly by gel filtration on Sephadex G 150, then either by ion exchange chromatography on DEAE Sephacel or chromatofocusing on PBE 94. By the use of a specific antiserum, raised in female sheep, two antigens with alpha 2- and beta 2-mobility in agar gel electrophoresis could be demonstrated. Immunohistochemical staining of the uterine epithelium at the seventh and eighth day post coitum showed the antigens to be localized in a ciliated cell type of conspicuous shape, which is supposed to be the site of synthesis. Stain accumulated mainly in the apical part of the cell, but there were also small deposits around the nucleus.