Varied effects of doxorubicin (DOX) on the corpus luteum of C57BL/6 mice during early pregnancy

Author(s):  
Christian Lee Andersen ◽  
Haeyeun Byun ◽  
Yuehuan Li ◽  
Shuo Xiao ◽  
Doris M Miller ◽  
...  

Abstract Certain chemotherapeutic drugs are toxic to ovarian follicles. The corpus luteum (CL) is normally developed from an ovulated follicle for producing progesterone (P4) to support early pregnancy. To fill in the knowledge gap about effects of chemotherapy on the CL, we tested the hypothesis that chemotherapy may target endothelial cells and/or luteal cells in the CL to impair CL function in P4 steroidogenesis using doxorubicin (DOX) as a representative chemotherapeutic drug in mice. In both mixed background mice and C57BL/6 mice, a single intraperitoneal injection of DOX (10 mg/kg) on 0.5 days post coitum (D0.5, post-ovulation) led to ~58% D3.5 mice with serum P4 levels lower than the serum P4 range in the PBS-treated control mice. Further studies in the C57BL/6 ovaries revealed that CLs from DOX-treated mice with low P4 levels had less defined luteal cords and disrupted collagen IV expression pattern, indicating disrupted capillary, accompanied with less differentiated luteal cells that had smaller cytoplasm and reduced StAR expression. DOX-treated ovaries had increased granulosa cell death in the growing follicles, reduced PCNA-positive endothelial cells in the CLs, enlarged lipid droplets and disrupted F-actin in the luteal cells. These novel data suggest that the proliferating endothelial cells in the developing CL may be the primary target of DOX to impair the vascular support for luteal cell differentiation and subsequently P4 steroidogenesis. This study fills in the knowledge gap about the toxic effects of chemotherapy on the CL and provides critical information for risk assessment of chemotherapy in premenopausal patients.

Author(s):  
Badiye V.H

The fine structure of luteal cell of the corpus luteum of Indian fruit bat, Rousettus leschenaulti was studied at three stages unilaminar blastocyst stage, Implanted bilaminar blastocyst stage and limb bud stage of early pregnancy. At unilaminar blastocyst stage luteal cells had small nuclei euchromatin. Mitochondria were small, round shaped with tubular cristae. Numerous less osmiophilic lipid droplets were observed in cytoplasmic field of the luteal cells. After implantation at implanted bilaminar blastocyst stage nuclear heterochromatin were reduced and nucleoli were larger and complex. Mitochondria were enlarged and often bizarre shaped with tubular cristae. Golgi complex and agranular endoplasmic reticulum were more conspicuous. Lipid droplets were less osmiophilic. At the stage of limb bud formation the luteal cells suggests different morphological picture, the nuclear size is reduced with clumps of heterochromatin. The agranular endoplasmic reticulum assumes the form of bundles of parallel tubules dispersed in several planes. Mitochondrial size was reduced then the previous stage and they posses vesicular cristae. These observations suggest that the steroidogenic activity of the luteal cells is highest during implantation and comparatively regresses during limb bud formation. It is suggested that the luteal cells is an important ovarian source of pregnancy hormones.


1997 ◽  
Vol 154 (2) ◽  
pp. 211-217 ◽  
Author(s):  
F Gaytán ◽  
C Bellido ◽  
C Morales ◽  
E Aguilar ◽  
J E Sánchez-Criado

Abstract The proliferative activity of the rat corpus luteum was studied on days 2, 3, 6, 9, 12, 15, 17, 19 and 21 of pregnancy. Proliferating cells were detected by the immunohistochemical demonstration of DNA-incorporated 5-bromodeoxyuridine (BrdU) and by the presence of mitoses. Steroidogenic luteal cells showed two proliferative waves on days 12–15 and on day 21, when relatively abundant BrdU-labeled and mitotic cells were observed. These cells were clearly distinguishable from non-steroidogenic cells by their round nuclei and large polygonal cytoplasm. The proliferative activity on days 12–15 was coincident with an increase in the size of the cells and in progesterone concentrations. On the other hand, the proliferative activity of non-steroidogenic luteal cells (especially endothelial cells of the blood and lymphatic vessels) followed a different pattern. These cells intensely proliferated on days 2–3 of pregnancy and this proliferative activity was significantly higher than that observed in non-pregnant rats on metestrus and diestrus. A new proliferative wave was observed on days 12–15, in association with the increase in the proliferative activity of steroidogenic cells. The presence of both BrdU-labeled and mitotic steroidogenic luteal cells provides evidence that these cells do proliferate and that both hypertrophy and hyperplasia are involved in the increase in the parenchyma of the corpus luteum during pregnancy. Also, the results suggest that different mechanisms are involved in the regulation of the proliferative activity in the corpus luteum at different times during pregnancy. Journal of Endocrinology (1997) 154, 211–217


2003 ◽  
Vol 228 (6) ◽  
pp. 741-748 ◽  
Author(s):  
Jerzy J. Jaroszewski ◽  
Dariusz J. Skarzynski ◽  
Robert M. Blair ◽  
William Hansel

The objective of the present study was to investigate the role of cell-to-cell contact in the influence of nitric oxide (NO) on the secretory function of the bovine corpus luteum (CL). In Experiment 1, separate small luteal cells (SLC) or large (LLC) luteal cells were perfused with 100 μ M spermineNONOate, a NO donor, or with 100 μ M Nω-nitro-L-arginine methyl ester (L-NAME), a NO synthase (NOS) inhibitor; in Experiment 2, a mixture of LLC and SLC and endothelial cells was cultured and incubated with spermineNONOate or L-NAME; in Experiment 3, spermineNONOate was perfused into the CL (100 mg/4 hr) by a microdialysis system in vivo. Perfusion of isolated SLC and LLC with the NO donor or NOS inhibitor (Experiment 1) did not affect ( P > 0.05) secretion of progesterone (P4) or oxytocin (OT). L-NAME perfusion increased ( P < 0.05) leukotriene C4 (LTC4) secretion by both SLC and LLC cells. Treatment of mixtures of luteal cells with an NO donor (Experiment 2) significantly decreased ( P < 0.001) secretion of P4 and OT and increased ( P < 0.001) production of prostaglandin F2α (PGF2α) and LTC4. L-NAME stimulated ( P < 0.001) P4 secretion, but did not influence ( P > 0.05) OT, PGF2α or LTC4 production. Intraluteal administration (Experiment 3) of spermineNONOate increased ( P < 0.001) LTC4 and PGF2α, decreased OT, but did not change P4 levels in perfusate samples. These data indicate that cell-to-cell contact and cell composition play important roles in the response of bovine CL to treatment with NO donors or NOS inhibitors, and that paracrine mechanisms are required for the full secretory response of the CL in NO action. Endothelial cells appear to be required for the full secretory response of the CL to NO.


2021 ◽  
Vol 2021 ◽  
pp. 1-11
Author(s):  
Zonghao Tang ◽  
Jiajie Chen ◽  
Zhenghong Zhang ◽  
Jingjing Bi ◽  
Renfeng Xu ◽  
...  

The increase of oxidative stress is one of the important characteristics of mammalian luteal regression. Previous investigations have revealed the essential role of reactive oxygen species (ROS) in luteal cell death during luteolysis, while it is unknown how ROS is regulated in this process. Considering the decrease of blood flow and increase of PGF2α during luteolysis, we hypothesized that the HIF-1α pathway may be involved in the regulation of ROS in the luteal cell of the late corpus luteum (CL). Here, by using a pseudopregnant rat model, we showed that the level of both HIF-1α and its downstream BNIP3 was increased during luteal regression. Consistently, we observed the increase of autophagy level during luteolysis, which is regulated in a Beclin1-independent manner. Comparing with early (Day 7 of pseudopregnancy) and middle CL (Day 14), the level of ROS was significantly increased in late CL, indicating the contribution of oxidative stress in luteolysis. Inhibition of HIF-1α by echinomycin (Ech), a potent HIF-1α inhibitor, ameliorated the upregulation of BNIP3 and NIX, as well as the induction of autophagy and the accumulation of ROS in luteal cells on Day 21 of pseudopregnancy. Morphologically, Ech treatment delayed the atrophy of the luteal structure at the late-luteal stage. An in vitro study indicated that inhibition of HIF-1α can also attenuate PGF2α-induced ROS and luteal cell apoptosis. Furthermore, the decrease of cell apoptosis can also be observed by ROS inhibition under PGF2α treatment. Taken together, our results indicated that HIF-1α signaling is involved in the regression of CL by modulating ROS production via orchestrating autophagy. Inhibition of HIF-1α could obviously hamper the apoptosis of luteal cells and the process of luteal regression.


1987 ◽  
Vol 40 (3) ◽  
pp. 331 ◽  
Author(s):  
William Hansel ◽  
Hector W Alila ◽  
Joseph P Dowd ◽  
Xiangzhong Yang

Evidence was cited to show that: (1) prostacyclin (PGI2) plays a luteotrophic role in the bovine corpus luteum and that products of the lipoxygenase pathway of arachidonic acid metabolism, especially 5-hydroxyeicosatetraenoic acid play luteolytic roles; (2) oxytocin of luteal cell origin plays a role in development, and possibly in regression, of the bovine corpus luteum; and (3) luteal cells arise from two sources; the characteristic small luteal cells at all stages of the o~strous cycle and pregnancy are of theca cell origin; the large cells are of granulosa cell origin early in the cycle, but a population of theca-derived large cells appears later in the cycle. Results of in vitro studies with total dispersed cells and essentially pure preparations of large and small luteal cells indicate that : (1) the recently described Ca2+ -polyphosphoinositol-protein kinase C second messenger system is involved in progesterone synthesis in the bovine corpus luteum; (2) activation of protein kinase C is stimulatory to progesterone synthesis in the small luteal cells; (3) activation of protein kinase C has no effect on progesterone synthesis in the large luteal cells; and (4) protein kinase C exerts its luteotrophic effect in total cell preparations, in part at least, by stimulating the production of prostacyclin. The protein kinase C system may cause down regulation of LH receptors in the large cells.


1982 ◽  
Vol 35 (4) ◽  
pp. 441 ◽  
Author(s):  
RJ Rodgers ◽  
JD O'Shea

A method is presented for the isolation and purification of three cell types, endothelial cells, small luteal cells and large luteal cells, from the ovine corpus luteum. The method involves enzymatic dispersion of luteal tissue followed by centrifugation of separated cells on a Ficoll gradient. The three purified cell types and others, particularly fibrocytes and smooth muscle cells, that were removed during purification, were identified by their morphology. The cell yield, the cellular composition and cellular progesterone content of each fraction from the Ficoll gradient were measured. The endothelial cell fractions were relatively free of contamination by other cell types and had negligible progesterone. Fractions of small luteal cells and those of large luteal cells contained endothelial cells but were relatively free of other cell types. Large luteal cells contained significantly more progesterone, produced more progesterone when incubated in culture, but were less responsive to luteinizing hormone than small luteal cells.


2016 ◽  
Vol 231 (3) ◽  
pp. 223-233 ◽  
Author(s):  
Liza Margareth Medeiros de Carvalho Sousa ◽  
Renata dos Santos Silva ◽  
Vanessa Uemura da Fonseca ◽  
Rafael Magdanelo Leandro ◽  
Thiago Senna Di Vincenzo ◽  
...  

This study aimed to determine in the canine corpus luteum throughout the dioestrus (1) the influence of insulin on glucose uptake; (2) the regulation of genes potentially involved; and (3) the influence of hypoxia on glucose transporter expression and steroidogenesis, after treatment with cobalt chloride (CoCl2). Glucose uptake by luteal cells increased 2.7 folds (P < 0.05) in response to insulin; a phenomenon related to increased expression of glucose transporter (GLUT) 4 and phosphorylation of protein kinase B (AKT). The gene expression of insulin receptor and SLC2A4 (codifier of GLUT4) genes after insulin stimulation increased on day 20 post ovulation (p.o.) and declined on day 40 p.o. (P < 0.05). Regarding potentially involved molecular mechanisms, the nuclear factor kappa B gene RELA was upregulated on days 30/40 p.o., when SLC2A4 mRNA was low, and the interleukin 6 (IL6) gene was upregulated in the first half of dioestrus, when SLC2A4 mRNA was high. CoCl2 in luteal cell cultures increased the hypoxia-inducible factor HIF1A/HIF1A and the SLC2A4/GLUT4 expression, and decreased progesterone (P4) production and hydroxyl-delta-5-steroid dehydrogenase 3 beta (HSD3B) mRNA expression (P < 0.05). This study shows that the canine luteal cells are responsive to insulin, which stimulates glucose uptake in AKT/GLUT4-mediated pathway; that may be related to local activity of RELA and IL6. Besides, the study reveals that luteal cells under hypoxia activate HIF1A-modulating luteal function and insulin-stimulated glucose uptake. These data indicate that insulin regulates luteal cells’ glucose disposal, participating in the maintenance and functionality of the corpus luteum.


1967 ◽  
Vol 39 (2) ◽  
pp. 163-171 ◽  
Author(s):  
A. S. EL-SHEIKH ◽  
FRANÇOIS B. SAKLA ◽  
SAFAA O. AMIN

SUMMARY The histological and functional changes of 31 corpora lutea of Egyptian buffaloes during the various phases of the oestrous cycle were studied. The volumes of the corpora lutea were calculated, the volume per cell, the cell volume and the volume of the intercellular spaces were estimated from transverse serial sections stained with haematoxylin and eosin, Mallory's triple stain or van Gieson's stain. The nuclear volumes were also determined and the cytoplasmic volume was calculated. The progesterone content was estimated using column absorption chromatography and a counter-current distribution system. It was concluded that the luteal cells increase both in volume and in number due to mitosis. The luteal cells decrease in volume after the 15th day after ovulation, the cells lose their distinct outlines in the regressive stage and disappear completely in the corpus albicans. There was a parallel increase in luteal cell volume and progesterone content until the 15th post-ovulatory day followed by a decrease in the regressive phase and disappearance of the hormone in the corpus albicans. A highly significant correlation (r = +0·875) was found between the progesterone content and the cytoplasmic volume. Progesterone concentration/g. luteal tissue increased from the corpus haemorrhagicum to the mature corpus luteum, decreased in the regressive corpus luteum and completely disappeared in the corpus albicans.


2016 ◽  
Vol 62 (5) ◽  
pp. 49
Author(s):  
Magdalena Julia Szymańska ◽  
Agnieszka Blitek

Background. Prostacyclin (PGI2) of luteal origin is involved in the control of corpus luteum (CL) development and function in cattle. PGI2 may regulate the process of angiogenesis and may stimulate progesterone (P4) secretion by luteal cells via its specific receptors, PTGIR. In contrast to cattle, the role of PGI2 in the pig CL has not yet been described.Aim. The present study aimed to investigate the effect of PGI2 on 1) P4 secretion by luteal cells, and 2) the expression of angiogenesis-related genes in endothelial cells of the porcine CL.Methods. CL collected from gilts on day 5-7 of the estrous cycle were used for enzymatic isolation of luteal (Experiment 1) and endothelial (Experiment 2) cells. In Exp. 1, cultured luteal cells were incubated with increasing (0, 0.01, 0.1, 1, 5 µM) doses of PGI2 analogues: iloprost (ILO) and carbaprostacyclin (cPGI2) for 8 h. To determine the effective doses of PGI2 analogues, P4 concentration in culture medium was examined by RIA. Thereafter, luteal cells were treated with ILO and cPGI2 at the concentration of 1 and 5 µM in the presence or absence of PTGIR antagonist (CAY10441). After 8 h of incubation the medium was collected for P4 determination. In Exp. 2, isolated endothelial cells were treated for 24 h with ILO and cPGI2 at doses of 1 and 5 µM. Then, cells were collected for analysis of Ang-1 and -2 mRNA expression using qPCR.Results. Both, ILO and cPGI2 affected P4 secretion by luteal cells. Elevated levels of P4 were observed in medium after treatment of luteal cells with 1 µM of ILO and 0.1, 1 and 5 µM of cPGI2 compared with control values (p<0.05). The addition of CAY10441 inhibited the stimulatory effect of ILO on P4 secretion, while did not change P4 production by luteal cells incubated with cPGI2. Moreover, PGI2 analogues differentially affected (p<0.05) the expression of proangiogenic factors. ILO stimulated Ang-2, whereas cPGI2 positively affected Ang-1 mRNA expression in endothelial cells at concentrations of 1 µM and 5 µM, respectively.Conclusion. PGI2 affects P4 secretion during luteal phase of the estrous cycle and may regulate the process of angiogenesis in the porcine CL.


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