Fig 1.

Changes in uterine fluid pH in (a) rats throughout oestrous cycle phases and (b) steroid treated ovariectomized rats. The pH in the presence of different protein channel/enzyme inhibitors was determined. Higher pH was noted at Es and Ps and following E treatment, while lower pH was noted at Ds and following P treatment. Glibenclamide, DIDS and ACTZ administration caused a decrease in pH under E influence, while ACTZ and EIPA administration caused an increase in pH under P influence. Meanwhile, in E+P group, the pH was not significantly differing from the control. EIPA caused pH increase at Ms and following E+P treatment. E: 0.2µg 17β-oestradiol, P: 4mg progesterone, E+P: 0.2µg 17β-oestradiol + 4mg progesterone. Ps: proestrus, Es: estrus, Ms: metestrus, Ds: diestrus, G: glibenclamide, ACTZ: acetazolamide, DIDS: 4,4'-diisothiocyanatostilbene-2,2'-disulfonic acid disodium salt hydrate and EIPA: 5-(N-Ethyl-N-isopropyl)-amiloride. † as compared to Es or control, * as compared to the group without inhibitors. (*,^† p<0.05), (**,^†† p<0.01), (***,^††† p<0.001). n= 6 per group. One way ANOVA and Tukey's test were used to analyze the results which were presented as mean ± SEM.