Sampling techniques for oviductal and uterine luminal fluid in cattle

Velazquez, M.A.; Parrilla, I.; Van Soom, A.; Verberckmoes, S.; Kues, W.; Niemann, H.

doi:10.1016/j.theriogenology.2009.07.004

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Volume 73, Issue 6 , Pages 758-767, 1 April 2010

Sampling techniques for oviductal and uterine luminal fluid in cattle

M.A. Velazquez
- Department of Biotechnology, Institute of Farm Animal Genetics, Friedrich-Loeffler-Institute (FLI), Höltystrasse 10 Mariensee, 31535 Neustadt, Germany
- Escuela Superior de Ciencias Agropecuarias, Universidad Autónoma de Campeche, Calle 53s/n, C.P. 24350, Escárcega, Campeche, Mexico
I. Parrilla
- Department of Animal Medicine and Surgery, Faculty of Veterinary Science, University of Murcia, E-30071 Murcia, Spain
A. Van Soom
- Department of Reproduction, Obstetrics and Herd Health, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Ghent University, Salisburylaan 133, 9820, Merelbeke, Belgium
S. Verberckmoes
- Department of Reproduction, Obstetrics and Herd Health, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Ghent University, Salisburylaan 133, 9820, Merelbeke, Belgium
W. Kues
- Department of Biotechnology, Institute of Farm Animal Genetics, Friedrich-Loeffler-Institute (FLI), Höltystrasse 10 Mariensee, 31535 Neustadt, Germany
H. Niemann
- Department of Biotechnology, Institute of Farm Animal Genetics, Friedrich-Loeffler-Institute (FLI), Höltystrasse 10 Mariensee, 31535 Neustadt, Germany
- Corresponding author. Tel.: +49 5034 871136; fax: +49 5034 871143.

Received 28 March 2009; accepted 28 April 2009. published online 17 August 2009.

Abstract

Analysis of luminal fluid microenvironments in the reproductive tract is pivotal to elucidate embryo-maternal signaling mechanisms responsible for successful reproduction in mammals, including cattle. Besides facilitating production of an optimized medium for in vitro fertilization and embryo culture in assisted reproductive technologies, screening of luminal fluid constituents in the oviduct and uterus could also provide critical information for elucidation of mechanisms underlying developmental programming. A key issue in this type of research is the sampling of luminal fluids. In this review we discuss the sampling techniques available for bovine species, including a recent in situ technique developed with the Ghent device, which allows rapid recovery of measurable amounts of pure uterine luminal fluid with minimal disturbance to the donor animal.

Keywords: Luminal fluid, Oviduct, Uterus, Sampling, Cattle