Variations of lectin-binding glycoproteins in early pregnant rabbit embryo.

In the present study, the quantitative and qualitative changes of three kinds of lectin-binding glycoproteins of early pregnant rabbit embryos (D4-D12) were analyzed. The technique of Western blot, as well as video densitometer scanning and its analytic software was used for analysis. Results found that there were five specific lectin-binding glycoproteins in Day 4 to Day 6 blastocyst fluids: one ConA-binding glycoprotein about 70 kD, two WGA-binding glycoproteins respectively about 42 kD and 25 kD and two PNA-binding glycoprotein respectively about 180 kD and 75 kD. They disappeared immediately after implantation. It is demonstrated that there are stage-specific glycoproteins in rabbit blastocyst fluid which might be relevant to the recognition of pregnancy and implantation.