Concentrations of arachidonate metabolites, steroids and histamine in preovulatory horse follicles after administration of human chorionic gonadotrophin and the effect of intrafollicular injection of indomethacin

1991 ◽  
Vol 129 (1) ◽  
pp. 131-139 ◽  
Author(s):  
E. D. Watson ◽  
P. L. Sertich
Keyword(s):  
Follicular Fluid ◽  
Chorionic Gonadotrophin ◽  
Human Chorionic Gonadotrophin ◽  
Hormonal Changes ◽  
Preovulatory Follicle ◽  
Plasma Progesterone ◽  
Preovulatory Follicles ◽  
Arachidonate Metabolites ◽  
Ovulatory Process ◽  
Over Time

ABSTRACT This study investigated the sequence of hormonal changes within the preovulatory follicles of mares. Mares were injected i.v. with 2500 IU human chorionic gonadotrophin (hCG) when a preovulatory follicle of 35 mm in diameter was detected. Fluid was aspirated from preovulatory follicles before (0 h), and 12, 24 and 36 h after administration of hCG. Concentrations of progesterone, prostaglandin (PG) E2, PGF, 6-keto-PGF1α and thromboxane B2 in follicular fluid increased significantly (P<0·01) between 0 and 36 h. At 36 h, PGE2 was present in highest concentrations, followed by PGF and 6-keto-PGF1α; thromboxane B2 was present at lower concentrations than other prostanoids. Concentrations of 13,14-dihydro-15-keto-PGF2α increased significantly (P<0·05) between 24 and 36 h. Leukotriene B4, leukotriene C4 and histamine were present in follicular fluid at all sampling periods and did not change significantly over time. In another experiment, buffered saline or indomethacin (either 100 or 500 μg) was injected into preovulatory follicles on the day that they reached 35 mm in diameter to determine whether blocking intrafollicular PG synthesis would affect ovulation. The interval between intrafollicular injection and ultrasonographic detection of luteinization was significantly longer (P<0·05) in mares treated with 500 μg indomethacin. Plasma progesterone concentrations were significantly (P<0·05) lower in indomethacin-treated mares than in control mares on the first 5 days after injection. These results indicate that intrafollicular concentrations of PGs increase significantly before ovulation in mares and may be involved in the ovulatory process. Journal of Endocrinology (1991) 129, 131–139

STEROIDOGENESIS IN HUMAN FOLLICLES APPROACHING OVULATION AS JUDGED FROM ASSAYS OF FOLLICULAR FLUID

1977 ◽  
Vol 72 (3) ◽  
pp. 259-271 ◽  
Author(s):  
R. E. FOWLER ◽  
S. T. H. CHAN ◽  
D. E. WALTERS ◽  
R. G. EDWARDS ◽  
P. C. STEPTOE
Keyword(s):  
Cluster Analysis ◽  
Follicular Fluid ◽  
Plasma Levels ◽  
Chorionic Gonadotrophin ◽  
Human Chorionic Gonadotrophin ◽  
Preovulatory Follicle ◽  
Serum Samples ◽  
Preovulatory Follicles ◽  
Ovulatory Follicles

SUMMARY Human chorionic gonadotrophin (HCG) was given to patients at mid-cycle before the endogenous LH surge. Graafian follicles were aspirated 32–33 h later, before ovulation was expected, and the levels of several steroids in follicular fluid and in matching serum samples were measured by radioimmunoassay. Two types of Graafian follicle were identified at laparoscopy, based on the nature of the oocyte, granulosa cells and follicular fluid withdrawn from the follicles. Some were large, preovulatory and presumably becoming luteinized while others were generally smaller, non-ovulatory and still growing. The concentrations of dehydroepiandrosterone (DHEA) and 17α-hydroxypregnenolone (Δ5 intermediates), androstenedione and testosterone were higher in non-ovulatory follicles, whereas large follicles usually contained high levels of progesterone, 17α-hydroxyprogesterone, pregnenolone and oestradiol-17β. A cluster analysis of these data grouped follicles into two distinct clusters, which accorded with their identification as ovulatory or non-ovulatory at laparoscopy. Levels of progesterone, 17α-hydroxyprogesterone and oestradiol-17β in follicular fluid were high in preovulatory follicles in comparison with plasma. Results in two patients indicated that plasma levels of these steroids were determined by the preovulatory follicle. Levels of plasma Δ5 steroids were closer to follicular fluid concentrations, whereas DHEA was higher in plasma. The role of the theca and granulosa is discussed in relation to the synthesis of progesterone and oestradiol-17β in follicles as ovulation approaches.

Temperature gradients in vivo influence maturing male and female gametes in mammals: evidence from the cow

2017 ◽  
Vol 29 (12) ◽  
pp. 2301 ◽  
Author(s):  
R. H. F. Hunter ◽  
F. López-Gatius ◽  
O. López-Albors
Keyword(s):  
Follicular Fluid ◽  
Open Surgery ◽  
Temperature Gradients ◽  
Fluid Temperature ◽  
Preovulatory Follicle ◽  
Male And Female ◽  
Direct Measurements ◽  
Final Maturation ◽  
Preovulatory Follicles

Since 1980 several reports have indicated that temperatures vary between preovulatory follicles and other ovarian tissues in rabbit, cow, pig and human. However, these observations did not achieve prominence; they were regarded as artefacts due to the use of anaesthetics and open surgery (laparotomy). Recently, without resorting to anaesthesia or surgery, direct measurements of temperature in preovulatory follicles have been performed in the cow by means of a thermistor probe introduced into the antrum under ultrasonic guidance. Such follicles revealed a mean antral (follicular fluid) temperature 0.74°C and 1.54°C cooler than uterine surface and rectal temperatures respectively in ovulating cows, whereas no such temperature differences were detected in non-ovulating cows. Cows are predominantly monovular and preovulatory follicles attain a diameter of 15–22 mm or more. These features and the timescale of response to the preovulatory gonadotrophin surge make them a valuable model for the human preovulatory follicle. Temperature gradients are interpreted primarily in a context of final maturation of gametes immediately before the onset of fertilisation. Preovulatory follicular temperature in women could be assessed by a comparable approach and might become a valuable selection guide for oocyte viability.

CORPUS LUTEUM ACTIVITY AND PROSTAGLANDIN LEVELS AFTER PARTURITION IN COWS WITH RETAINED FETAL MEMBRANES

1987 ◽  
Vol 67 (1) ◽  
pp. 21-26 ◽  
Author(s):  
PIERRE MATTON ◽  
VICTOR ADELAKOUN ◽  
JACQUES DUFOUR
Keyword(s):  
Key Words ◽  
Corpus Luteum ◽  
Chorionic Gonadotrophin ◽  
Human Chorionic Gonadotrophin ◽  
Fetal Membranes ◽  
Plasma Progesterone ◽  
Blood Samples ◽  
Retained Placenta ◽  
Progesterone Production ◽  
Prostaglandin F

Previous results have shown that progesterone levels were higher on the day of parturition in cows with retained fetal membranes (RFM) than in cows with normal calving, suggesting incomplete lysis of the corpus luteum (CL). This experiment was performed to evaluate the activity of the CL and the level of 13,14-dihydro-15-keto prostaglandin F2α (PGFM) in RFM cows. Cows with RFM or those calving normally (NC) were ovariectomized 12–14 h after parturition. Blood samples were taken from the caudal and utero-ovarian veins. Slices of CL were incubated with or without human chorionic gonadotrophin (hCG) medium for 3 h. Plasma progesterone was higher in both the caudal and utero-ovarian veins of RFM cows than in those of NC cows (1.12 ± 0.25 vs. 0.62 ± 0.08 ng mL−1 and 2.4 ± 0.3 vs. 1.44 ± 0.33 ng mL−1, respectively). PGFM was also significantly higher in RFM cows (3.62 ± 0.19 vs. 2.55 ± 0.15 ng mL−1). Progesterone production by CL slices from both types of cows, incubated without hCG, was similar (65 ± 4.2 vs. 73 ± 5.1 μg g−1); with hCG, however, the progesterone production by the CL of RFM cows was 186.3 ± 10.7 μg g−1, 75.7 μg g−1 more than in CL of cows with normal calving. These results support the hypothesis of an incomplete luteolysis of the CL in RFM cows in spite of hieher levels of PGF2α. Key words: Corpus luteum activity, progesterone, prostaglandin, postpartum cows, retained placenta

Nitric oxide mediates human chorionic gonadotrophin-induced prostaglandin E generation in rat oocyte - cumulus complexes

1997 ◽  
Vol 9 (4) ◽  
pp. 391 ◽  
Author(s):  
Alicia Jawerbaum ◽  
Elida T. Gonzalez ◽  
Alicia Faletti ◽  
Virginia Novaro ◽  
Martha A. F. Gimeno
Keyword(s):  
Nitric Oxide ◽  
Methyl Ester ◽  
No Synthase ◽  
Chorionic Gonadotrophin ◽  
Human Chorionic Gonadotrophin ◽  
Prostaglandin E ◽  
No Donors ◽  
Nos Inhibitors ◽  
Preovulatory Follicles

To determine whether nitric oxide (NO) generation mediates human chorionic gonadotrophin (hCG)-induced prostaglandin E (PGE) secretion by oocyte–cumulus complexes (OCC), the secretion of PGE by cultured rat OCC in the presence of NO donors and NO synthase (NOS) inhibitors was characterized. NO donors (sodium nitroprusside and 3-morpholino-sydnonimine- hydrochloride) increased PGE accumulation in OCC to values similar to those obtained in the presence of hCG. The three NOS inhibitors tested (N G -nitro-L-arginine methyl ester, NG -monomethyl-L-arginine and aminoguanidine) prevented the hCG-induced PGE accumulation in cultured OCC. This effect appears to be specific since D-enantiomers NG -nitro-D-arginine methyl ester and NG -monomethyl-D-arginine had no effect. The present results suggest that NO mediates the hCG-induced accumulation of PGE in rat OCC, a process which may occur in vivo in preovulatory follicles prior to ovulation.

scholarly journals Relationships of changes in B-mode echotexture and colour-Doppler signals in the wall of the preovulatory follicle to changes in systemic oestradiol concentrations and the effects of human chorionic gonadotrophin in mares

Reproduction ◽  
2006 ◽  
Vol 131 (4) ◽  
pp. 699-709 ◽  
Author(s):  
E L Gastal ◽  
M O Gastal ◽  
O J Ginther
Keyword(s):  
Chorionic Gonadotrophin ◽  
Human Chorionic Gonadotrophin ◽  
Post Treatment ◽  
Arterial Blood Flow ◽  
Preovulatory Follicle ◽  
Colour Doppler ◽  
Arterial Blood ◽  
Grey Scale ◽  
Doppler Signals ◽  
Negative Effect

A duplex grey-scale and colour-Doppler ultrasound instrument was used to study the changes in the wall of the preovulatory follicle in mares. When the follicle reached ≥35 mm (hour 0), mares were randomized into control (n= 16) and human chorionic gonadotropin (hCG)-treated (n= 16) groups. The hCG treatment was given at hour 0. Scanning was done every 12 h until hour 36, every hour between hours 36 and 48, and every 12 h thereafter until ovulation. Blood was sampled every 12 h for oestradiol assay. During the period 0–24 h post-treatment, oestradiol concentrations decreased in the hCG group and increased in the controls (significant interaction). During the period 0–36 h post-treatment, thickness and echogenicity of the granulosa increased in the hCG group but not in the controls. During the period 36 to 12 h before ovulation, granulosa and colour-Doppler end-points increased in the control and hCG groups (hour effects), while oestradiol was decreasing in both groups. The prominence and percentage of follicle circumference with an anechoic band peripheral to the granulosa and colour-Doppler signals in the follicle wall, indicating arterial blood flow, decreased during the period 4 to 1 h before ovulation (hour effects). Results indicated that the ultrasonographic changes of the wall of the preovulatory follicle were not associated temporally with changes in oestradiol concentrations and prominence of an anechoic band, and colour-Doppler signals decreased during the few hours before ovulation. The hypothesis that the latter portion of the ovulatory LH surge has a negative effect on systemic oestradiol was supported by the immediate decrease in oestradiol concentrations when hCG was injected.

Hormone concentrations and ovulatory response in rats treated with antiprogestagens

1991 ◽  
Vol 129 (3) ◽  
pp. 423-429 ◽  
Author(s):  
J. Th. J. Uilenbroek
Keyword(s):  
Cumulus Cells ◽  
High Serum ◽  
Chorionic Gonadotrophin ◽  
Human Chorionic Gonadotrophin ◽  
Ovulation Rate ◽  
Female Rats ◽  
Serum Prolactin ◽  
Lh Surge ◽  
Serum Lh ◽  
Preovulatory Follicles

ABSTRACT Administration of antiprogestagens (2 mg/day) to female rats for 21 days induces high serum prolactin levels. These levels stimulate luteal progesterone production and an increase in ovarian weight. Compared with RU486 (mifepristone) the increase in prolactin is less after treatment with ZK299 (onapristone), an antiprogestagen with lower antiglucocorticoid activity. To study whether cyclic ovulations occur in rats treated with antiprogestagens, 5-day cyclic rats were given daily injections of RU486 or ZK299 (2 mg) from metoestrus (day 1) to pro-oestrus. This treatment advanced the forthcoming ovulation by 1 day; however, the ovulation rate was low. Injection of 10 IU human chorionic gonadotrophin on the afternoon of pro-oestrus (day 3) increased the ovulation rate, but not to the level found in oil-treated rats. Serum LH concentrations measured from metoestrus to oestrus at 10.00 and 17.00 h were higher in antiprogestagen- than in oil-treated rats from day 2 (17.00 h) onwards. A low preovulatory LH surge was found in antiprogestagen-treated rats on the after-noon of pro-oestrus (day 3). Ovarian histology at the day of oestrus (day 4) confirmed the presence of a low LH surge as, besides ruptured follicles, unruptured follicles with dispersion of cumulus cells were present. The pro-oestrous surge of prolactin was also advanced by 24 h. The magnitude, however, was not different from that in oil-treated rats at day 4. In conclusion, daily administration of antiprogestagens to 5-day cyclic rats results in increased basal levels of serum LH and advancement of the preovulatory surge of prolactin and LH by 1 day. The ovulatory response is low due to the low pre-ovulatory surge of LH and to a reduced ability of preovulatory follicles to respond to LH. Journal of Endocrinology (1991) 129, 423–429

STEROIDOGENESIS IN PREOVULATORY FOLLICLES OF PATIENTS GIVEN HUMAN MENOPAUSAL AND CHORIONIC GONADOTROPHINS AS JUDGED BY THE RADIOIMMUNOASSAY OF STEROIDS IN FOLLICULAR FLUID

1978 ◽  
Vol 77 (2) ◽  
pp. 161-169 ◽  
Author(s):  
R. E. FOWLER ◽  
R. G. EDWARDS ◽  
D. E. WALTERS ◽  
S. T. H. CHAN ◽  
P. C. STEPTOE
Keyword(s):  
Follicular Fluid ◽  
Follicular Development ◽  
Human Chorionic Gonadotrophin ◽  
Serum Samples ◽  
Steroid Synthesis ◽  
Asynchronous Development ◽  
Preovulatory Follicles ◽  
Human Menopausal Gonadotrophin ◽  
Broad Classification

SUMMARY The administration of human menopausal gonadotrophin (HMG) followed by human chorionic gonadotrophin (HCG) stimulated the development of various numbers of follicles in patients treated for infertility. Graafian follicles from these patients were aspirated 32–33 h after the injection of HCG and the levels of steroids in the follicular fluid and matching serum samples were measured by radioimmunoassay. The follicles could not be grouped into two distinct clusters as found in patients given HCG during the menstrual cycle but a broad classification of follicles into four groups was indicated from the dendrogram. Two of the groups were similar to the ovulatory and non-ovulatory groups found previously, whereas the other two groups of follicles were more intermediate in nature. The use of a discriminant analysis showed that these two groups had clearly been stimulated by the HMG and HCG, although they were not yet fully ovulatory. Our data indicate that the number of developing follicles is considerably increased by treatment with HMG and HCG but there is asynchrony in follicular development because the pattern of steroid synthesis differs in many follicles. The effects of this asynchronous development on oocyte maturation and disorders of the luteal phase are discussed.

Distribution of the β-core human chorionic gonadotrophin fragment in human body fluids

1992 ◽  
Vol 135 (1) ◽  
pp. 175-188 ◽  
Author(s):  
S. F. de Medeiros ◽  
F. Amato ◽  
D. Bacich ◽  
L. Wang ◽  
C. D. Matthews ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Molecular Weight ◽  
High Molecular Weight ◽  
Granulosa Cells ◽  
Follicular Fluid ◽  
Intramuscular Injection ◽  
Body Fluids ◽  
Chorionic Gonadotrophin ◽  
Human Chorionic Gonadotrophin ◽  
Pregnancy Urine ◽  
In Pregnancy

ABSTRACT The origins of a fragment of the human chorionic gonadotrophin (hCG) molecule, β-core (βC-hCG) were studied by analysis of βC-hCG concentrations in biological fluids. In addition, the ability of the placenta to produce the fragment and the metabolism of hCG to βC-hCG by human granulosa cells was determined in tissue culture. Finally the conversion of exogenous hCG to βC-hCG was studied in vivo. The fragment was present in pregnancy urine as well as that from premenopausal and postmenopausal subjects. The highest concentrations were found in pregnant women. Ratios of βC-hCG to intact hCG were higher in pregnancy urine when radioimmunoassay (RIA) was used compared with immunoradiometric assay (IRMA) (0·67 and 0·37 respectively). Concentrations of βC-hCG were higher in postmenopausal urine than in premenopausal specimens. A significant amount of a high molecular weight βC-hCG immunoreactive material was found in serum samples after size separation, and the molar ratio of βC-hCG/hCG was estimated as 0·019. Amniotic fluid also contained small quantities of two forms of immunoreactive βC-hCG and the ratio of 0·01 for authentic βC-hCG/hCG increased to 0·026 when the high molecular weight form was considered. Cultured trophoblastic tissue released material with βC-hCG immunoreactivity in the medium and chromatographic separation revealed that the majority of this material was of higher molecular weight compared with the authentic βC-hCG form. βC-hCG was the principal glycoprotein found in follicular fluid after hyperstimulated folliculogenesis and intramuscular injection of 5000 IU hCG. We also demonstrated that 26% of follicular fluid samples (n = 50) were positive for βC-hCG; levels ranged from 5·2 to 23·0 pmol/l (13·1 ±5·7); s.d.) when a specific IRMA was used. The RIA could detect βC-hCG in 48 samples (96%), levels ranging from 7·0 to 28·5 pmol/l (19·4±5·2). Moreover, granulosa cells cultured in the presence of hCG were able to degrade the intact molecule to both high molecular weight and authentic immunoreactive forms of βC-hCG. After gel filtration, material of molecular weight over a wide range and immunoreactive for βC-hCG was present in human seminal plasma. Assaying 74 samples of this fluid by IRMA, βC-hCG was detected in 42 (56·7%), levels ranging between 5·5 and 59·5 pmol/l (24·9± 15·2). Following intramuscular injection of 1500 IU hCG into male volunteers, the levels of βC-hCG in urine increased by approximately 220% during the first 24 h (P= 0·036 for βC-hCG levels at 2 h and 24 h), decreasing thereafter to undetectable levels in the next 72 h. However, in serum, βC-hCG immunoactivity remained under the limit of detection of the assay at all times. We concluded that (1) the βC-hCG fragment is widely distributed in body fluids and a dissociable high molecular weight material immunoreactive for βC-hCG is found in some biological compartments; (2) granulosa-lutein cells are able to degrade intact hCG to a small βC-hCG immunoreactive fragment; (3) trophoblastic cells synthesize and release different size material with βC-hCG immunoreactivity; (4) intramuscular injection of hCG is followed by increased βC-hCG immunoreactivity in urine; and (5) our results support previous studies indicating the peripheral metabolism of intact hCG to βC-hCG as the principal source for this fragment but raise the possibility that a high molecular weight-associated form, probably bound to a specific protein, may be produced by some tissues. Journal of Endocrinology (1992) 135, 175–188

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