Protein Patterns on a Vaginal Mucus during Spontaneous and Estrus Synchronization using CIDR in Korean Native Cattle (Hanwoo)

The aim of the present recent study was to compare the protein patterns in the vaginal mucus of Hanwoo cattles during spontaneous and CIDR induced-estrus. Ten cattles, who had been observed in estrus, received no treatment and served as the group of cattles with normal spontaneous estrus. Thirteen cattles in the CIDR received an CIDR insert on day 14 were removed and cattles were injected GnRH on day 15. Vaginal mucus samples were collected from all cattles at the same time the single AI in cattles with spontaneous estrus and the AI in cattles with induced estrus. Spontaneous and CIDR-induced estrus vaginal mucus samples were analyzed on two different array surfaces: cation-exchange (CM10), anion-exchange (Q10). In addition, using the NaCl solution by which the proteins combined after washing are 0.5, 1 and 2 M, it was fractionated and a protein was collected successively. The results are summarized as follows: 1) Ionic surfaces chemistries (Q10 and CM10) gave the best results in terms of detectable protein peaks, with more than 100 protein peaks in the two fractions and under each condition. 2) Protein mass spectrometer using 11 different proteins in protein identification of 7 were able to determine the protein. List of identified proteins as follows; Ribosome-binding protein 1, GRIP 1-associated protein 1, Katanin p60 ATPase-containing subunit A-like 1, Protein FAM44A, DUF729 domain-containing protein 1, Prolactin precursor, Dihydrofolate erductase. Conclusively, on the basis of this study, protein expression in the vaginal mucus could be used as an indicator for time of estrus manifestation in order to increase conception rates by applying AI at an optional time.