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.