Effect of progesterone administration on the distribution of oviductal carbohydrates in Rana tigrina

Our aim has been to determine whether carbohydrate distribution in the oviducts of progesterone-treated animals is comparable with that of seasonal breeders in Rana tigrina. Like many other anurans, R. tigrina oviduct exhibits a short straight portion (pars recta, pr) at the beginning followed by a long, highly coiled portion (pars convoluta, pc). Histologically, the oviduct of this species revealed some unique features, one of which was intense toluidine blue staining, specifically in the upper mucosal glands of pc4. Based on lectin reactivities in the epithelial cells and mucosal glands, patterns of lectin staining in the seasonal breeders were classified into seven types: R1-R3 (for pr) and C1-C4 (for pc). Typically, some lectins reacted selectively either with ciliated cells (concanavalin A) or non-cialiated cells (Ricinus communis agglutinin I and wheatgerm agglutinin); however, Bandeiraea simplicifolia agglutinin I reacted with both cell types. These staining patterns were different in the progesterone-treated animals. Differences in glycan distribution in the oviductal secretions were revealed by lectin blotting. Compared with the seasonal breeders, an enhanced staining of some lectins was noted in the hormone-treated animals: either an increased staining intensity of existing protein bands or additional staining of new protein bands. Inversely, the staining of wheatgerm agglutinin was markedly diminished in the hormone-treated animals, suggesting the inhibitory effect of progesterone on oviductal glycan distribution. Whether alteration in glycan distribution upon progesterone treatment affects the physiological properties of the released jelly substances remains to be addressed.