Cation Concentrations in Fluid from the Oviduct Ampulla and Isthmus of Cows During the Estrous Cycle

¹ Department of Dairy and Animal Science, The Pennsylvania State University, University Park 16802

To detect variations in oviduct fluid cation concentrations, Ca⁺⁺ Mg⁺⁺, K⁺, and Na⁺ were determined for daily samples of blood serum and bovine oviduct fluid collected from indwelling isthmic and ampullary catheters. Isthmic oviduct fluid Ca⁺⁺ concentration was significantly greater than that in ampullary fluid, particularly around estrus and ovulation. Maximum Ca⁺ concentrations found in isthmic oviduct fluid at estrus (2.57 ± .22 mM) and at ovulation (2.50 ± .29 mM) were similar to those of medium used for in vitro capacitation of bovine sperm. Concentrations of Mg⁺⁺ in oviduct fluid differed significantly by estrous cycle stage, but not by oviduct region, and were consistently lower than those detected in serum. No relationships were found for K⁺ or Na⁺ with respect to region or stage, but K⁺ was generally higher in oviduct fluid than in serum. The concentration of K⁺ averaged over stage and region (4.46 ± .13 mM) and the K⁺:Na⁺ ratio (.032 ± .002) were similar to those reported in bovine in vitro capacitating and fertilizing media. Concentrations of Ca⁺⁺ and Na⁺ from peritoneal fluid from nonstaged cows were similar to those of oviduct fluid or serum. The Mg⁺⁺ concentration was greater, and K⁺ concentration was less, in peritoneal than in oviduct fluid.

Key Words: cations • bovine • oviduct fluid

Submitted on May 15, 1991
Accepted on August 29, 1991

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