Molecular Differentiation of the Mouse Genital Tract: Protein Synthesis in Fetal and Immature Female Reproductive Tract

Using two-dimensional gel electrophoresis, approximately 75% of the 192 proteins detected in the fetal mouse genital tract are also detected on fluorograms of immature tissue. There is a progressive increase in the number of qualitatively different proteins synthesized from Day 14 fetal genital tissue to the 17-day-old immature uterus and vagina. Seventy-eight percent of the 180 proteins detectable on fluorograms of proteins having isoelectric points between 4 and 7, and proteins synthesized in the immature female genital tracts, were also detected in fluorograms of fetal tissues. Four of the 12 new proteins appear to be specific to the immature vagina; the remaining 8, specific to the immature uterus.