A functionally active complement system is present in uterine secretion of the mouse prior to implantation.

Sephadex beads were placed carefully in the uterus on days 2 and 3 and left for 6 to 8 h to absorb uterine secretion. The beads were then removed with volatile silicon oil and mounted on small pieces of nitrocellulose paper. Immuno-staining of these bead blots showed they contained the complement components C1q, C3, C4, and C5. We demonstrated that complement component C3 in the uterine secretion could be activated and deposited on model immune complexes, and also that antibody-coated erythrocytes were lysed in utero, that is, a membrane attack complex was produced. Thus, the mouse uterine secretion at the preimplantation stage contains a functionally active complement system.