| dc.description.abstract | A great deal is known about the internal functions of the oviduct for example how the oviduct can assist the oocyte with maturation in order to be ready for the spermatozoon or it can alter the morphology of the spermatozoa in order to prepare them for fertilization. Despite that, research has just scratched the surface on finding out how the oviduct can work as an endocrine organ and secrete hormones it produces in the blood rather that in its lumen. The hormones it produces can provide assistance in the reproductive system function but they can also give rise to many endocrinological diseases such as pyometra. The oviduct is able to produce many substances such as glycoproteins, glucose, growth factors, prostaglandins, progesterone, estrogen and much more. In order to find out if these substances are excreted in the blood as well as finding out the concentration of progesterone and oestrogen in the serum before and after ovariohysterectomy ELISA was carried out. The progesterone and oestrogen in the oviduct as well as the ovaries was measured in the tissues homogenate using ELISA kits. 37 sexually mature, clinically healthy cats were chosen at different stages of their estrus cycle and different ages. The values of progesterone in the serum were significantly higher before the operation than after (p<0.005). Progesterone and oestrogen concentrations were higher in the oviduct compared to the serum. Marked differences were seen between our results when the cats sampled were pregnant or where sampled during estrus. The results of this experiment indicate that the concentrations of feline progesterone assayed with ELISA are correlated strongly in the serum but they are weak when investigating their correlation between the oviduct and serum. Furthermore, the oviduct besides its roles in capacitation, maturation of the oocyte, fertilization, and transport of the zygote does not have a significant endocrine function compared to the ovaries and the adrenal glands, when hormones are concerned it acts mostly in an exocrine way. | |
