X-RAY-MICROANALYSIS OF UTERINE SECRETION IN THE MOUSE

In an attempt to characterize ion transport mechanisms in the uterine epithelium the effect of diuretics on the elemental composition of the uterine secretion was investigated by X-ray microanalysis. Mice were treated with a variety of diuretics and Sephadex beads were incubated in situ in the uterus where they absorbed the uterine secretion. In an imals treated with furosemide, bumetanide, or ameloride, the concentra tion of Na, K, and Cl in the uterine secretion was significantly decre ased. After treatment with acetazolamide, only the K concentration was significantly decreased. Treatment with diuretics also decreased the concentration of P and S in the uterine secretion,indicating that less mucus was absorbed to the Sephadex beads. Transmission electron micro scopy confirmed that treatment with amiloride and furosemide decreased the amount of mucus covering the epithelium. A possible explanation i s that because of lack of water, the uterine mucus cannot leave the lu men of the uterine glands and reach the surface of the epithelium wher e the beads are. The data strongly suggest that Na+, K+, and Cl- trans port in the uterine epithelium is dependent on a basolaterally situate d Na+-(K+)-Cl--cotransport mechanism. Disturbance of normal ion and wa ter transport apparently affects the composition and consistency of th e mucus, which may help explain abnormalities in cervical mucus in pat ients with cystic fibrosis.