Summary. Endometrium from cyclic (N = 4) and pregnant (N = 4) gilts at Day 14 after oestrus was placed into three bilateral perifusion devices which allow separate perifusion of luminal and myometrial sides. Perifused endometrium was subjected to 39 or 42°C. Incorporation of [3H]leucine into secreted and tissue proteins by endometrial explants following incubation at 39 or 42°C was examined using trichloroacetic acid (TCA) precipitation and one-dimensional SDS polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis. Secretion of PGF was greater from the myometrial side for cyclic gilts (endocrine orientation), but greater from the luminal side for pregnant gilts (exocrine orientation). Regardless of reproductive status or endometrial side, heat stress induced a rapid increase (P < 0·01) in PGF secretion rates. However, PGF secretion in response to heat stress was greater (P < 0·01) from the myometrial side and greater (P < 0·01) for pregnant gilts. PGF secretion rates increased by 63% and 42% from the luminal side, and 40% and 156% from the myometrial side in response to heat stress for cyclic and pregnant gilts, respectively (status × treatment × side interaction; P < 0·01). Heat stress did not alter incorporation of [3H]leucine into secreted proteins regardless of reproductive status, while incorporation into tissue proteins was decreased (P < 0·05) by heat stress for pregnant gilts, but not altered for cyclic gilts. Heat stress, in vitro, redirects PGF secretion for endometria of pregnant gilts from an exocrine to an endocrine orientation where it would be available to effect luteolysis and compromise the establishment of pregnancy.
Keywords: pig; heat stress; endometrium; prostaglandins; perifusion; proteins