Fig 3.

Uterine fluid HCO3- concentration with and without the presence of protein/enzyme inhibitors in (a) rats at different phases of the oestrous cycle and (b) ovariectomized rats receiving steroid replacement. Uterine fluid HCO₃^- concentration was increased under E influence. Glibenclamide, DIDS and ACTZ administration caused a decrease in HCO3- concentration at Es, Ps and following E treatment. HCO₃^- concentration was reduced under P influence. ACTZ and EIPA administration caused an increase in HCO3- concentration at Ds and following P treatment. E: 0.2 µg 17β-oestradiol, P: progesterone, E+P: 0.2 µg 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 inhibitor.(*, ^† :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.