Placental proteins from cows with and without retained fetal membranes. The SDS-PAGE analysis

Retention of fetal membranes in cows is one of the most common disorders of the postpartum period which still needs clarification. In the following study the question was addressed whether there are differences in placetal protein pattern between cows affected with retained fetal membranes and control animals. Placental tissues were obtained from 16 cows immediately after parturition and divided into 2 groups : A - not retained placenta (n=10, NRF), B - retained placenta (n=6, RF). The supernatants of homogenized maternal and fetal part of placenta were subjected to SDS polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis using 10 %, 12 % and 15 % gels. Densitometric analysis allowed to notice differences in protein content and the number of fractions between examined groups of animals and parts of placenta. The results presented here can suggest that the metabolism of proteins is changed in cases of retained placenta. Such changes might be refected in altered activity of enzymes and/or altered proteolytic activity of placental tissues of cows suffered from retention of fetal membranes.