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Contents: Parturition is one of the most important events in reproduction. Regardless of many studies, exact time for pregnancy termination and onset of parturition is impossible to determine. The aim of this study was to describe and to compare protein profile of plasma from healthy pregnant cows (n = 6) at following five time points: 2 weeks, 1 week before, at parturition, 1 week and 2 weeks after parturition to search for possible protein markers of parturition. Plasma samples were analysed by 1D and 2D electrophoresis, and selected spots were identified by mass spectrometry. Protein profile showed no uniform pattern. Seventy spots differed at least for one sampling point from the time point 2 weeks before parturition which served as reference. Thirty spots expressed higher intensity of staining 1 week as 2 weeks before parturition while 13 showed opposite relationship. Twenty two spots expressed higher intensity of staining at parturition as 2 weeks before delivery while 15 showed opposite relationship. Eighteen spots expressed higher intensity of staining 2 weeks before parturition as 1 week post‐partum while 2 showed opposite relationship. Fifteen spots expressed higher intensity of staining 2 weeks before parturition as 2 weeks after delivery while 14 showed opposite relationship. Thirty‐five proteins, belonging to different functional groups, were identified. Of them, 15 spots differed significantly between parturition and 2 weeks before delivery. Among them were metalloproteinase inhibitor and LDH which seem to be the most promising molecules considered as parturition markers due to their functions. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Contents Tissue-specific protein profile is determined by its function, structure, intensity of metabolism and usefulness. This profile remains under hormonal control. Any disturbance in the general metabolism may be reflected in changes in both protein quantity and quality. These changes can be of low or high specificity, and some can be used as clinical markers of pathological conditions. The aim of this study was to describe and to compare the protein profile of caruncle and foetal villi of bovine placenta that was either properly released or retained. Placental tissues were collected from healthy cows, divided into releasing and retaining foetal membranes, homogenized and subjected to 1 D and 2 D electrophoresis. Computer-aided analysis of gel images showed essential qualitative and quantitative alterations in protein profile between tissues that were properly released and retained. Alterations concerned both the number of fractions and spots as well as the intensity of staining. This preliminary study provides a general overview of the differences in the protein profile between released and retained foetal membranes. It may allow for selecting the group of proteins or single molecules, which should be further analysed in detail as possible markers differentiating the retention of foetal membranes in cows from placentas that were released spontaneously. The continuation of the study for the identification of particular spots detected in 2 D gels is necessary. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]