Abstract
Superoxide dismutase (SOD) activity in flushings from oviducts and uterine horns of 8 anestrous, 5 estrous, and 7 diestrous bitches was measured. SOD activity in oviductal fluid in estrous bitches was significantly higher than that in anestrous and diestrous bitches (P<0.01). SOD activity in uterine fluid of diestrous bitches was, however, significantly higher than that in anestrous and estrous bitches (P<0.01). Additionally, sperm collected from normal dogs were incubated in MEM and in MEM containing SOD (SOD-MEM) for 24h. The percentages of sperm with viability, motility, and hyperactivation in SOD-MEM were higher than those in MEM. SOD produced in oviduct and uterus may be able to maintain or improve sperm quality and fertility in the dog.
