Affinity of uterine luminal proteins for rat blastocysts

The binding of 125I-labelled rat uterine luminal proteins from Day-5 pregnant rats showed higher binding affinity to blastocysts than did the binding of proteins in uterine fluid from pro-oestrous rats (Day 0), rat serum albumin (RSA) or bovine serum albumin (BSA). Apparently little uptake of proteins into cells by phagocytosis or entry into the blastocoelic cavity occurred since similar results were obtained in the presence of sodium azide or cytochalasin B. Autoradiographic studies showed that the proteins were localized on the outer surface of the blastocyst. The binding was Ca2+-dependent. Denaturation of Day-5 uterine proteins at 80 degrees C reduced the counts to the values obtained with undenatured RSA and Day-0 fluids; this residual binding was considered as non-specific. The binding of labelled Day-5 uterine proteins was substantially reduced in the presence of unlabelled Day-5 proteins but to a lesser extent in the presence of RSA or rat serum. The dissociation of the bound labelled Day-5 uterine proteins occurred most rapidly in the presence of unlabelled Day-5 proteins. However, dissociation occurred within 2 h in the presence of other macromolecules, suggesting that the binding was not strong.