Evidence for steroidogenic luteal cell hypertrophy and hyperplasia during pregnancy in the rat

1997 ◽  
Vol 154 (2) ◽  
pp. 211-217 ◽  
Author(s):  
F Gaytán ◽  
C Bellido ◽  
C Morales ◽  
E Aguilar ◽  
J E Sánchez-Criado
Keyword(s):  
Endothelial Cells ◽  
Corpus Luteum ◽  
Proliferative Activity ◽  
Lymphatic Vessels ◽  
The Other ◽  
Luteal Cell ◽  
Proliferating Cells ◽  
Pregnant Rats ◽  
Luteal Cells ◽  
Steroidogenic Cells

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

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

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Christian Lee Andersen ◽  
Haeyeun Byun ◽  
Yuehuan Li ◽  
Shuo Xiao ◽  
Doris M Miller ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Endothelial Cells ◽  
Corpus Luteum ◽  
Early Pregnancy ◽  
Lipid Droplets ◽  
Luteal Cell ◽  
Knowledge Gap ◽  
Chemotherapeutic Drugs ◽  
Luteal Cells ◽  
Single Intraperitoneal Injection ◽  
Premenopausal Patients

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.

Influence of Nitric Oxide on the Secretory Function of the Bovine Corpus Luteum: Dependence on Cell Composition and Cell-to-Cell Communication

2003 ◽  
Vol 228 (6) ◽  
pp. 741-748 ◽  
Author(s):  
Jerzy J. Jaroszewski ◽  
Dariusz J. Skarzynski ◽  
Robert M. Blair ◽  
William Hansel
Keyword(s):  
Nitric Oxide ◽  
Endothelial Cells ◽  
Corpus Luteum ◽  
Cell Contact ◽  
Secretory Function ◽  
No Donor ◽  
Luteal Cells ◽  
Cell Composition ◽  
Bovine Corpus Luteum ◽  
Nos Inhibitor

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.

scholarly journals HIF-1α Activation Promotes Luteolysis by Enhancing ROS Levels in the Corpus Luteum of Pseudopregnant Rats

2021 ◽  
Vol 2021 ◽  
pp. 1-11
Author(s):  
Zonghao Tang ◽  
Jiajie Chen ◽  
Zhenghong Zhang ◽  
Jingjing Bi ◽  
Renfeng Xu ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Oxidative Stress ◽  
Corpus Luteum ◽  
Cell Apoptosis ◽  
In Vitro Study ◽  
Luteal Cell ◽  
Independent Manner ◽  
Luteal Regression ◽  
Luteal Cells

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.

scholarly journals Immunohistological Localization and Expression of α-Actin in the Baboon (Papio anubis) Corpus Luteum

1997 ◽  
Vol 45 (1) ◽  
pp. 71-77 ◽  
Author(s):  
Firyal S. Khan-Dawood ◽  
Jun Yang ◽  
M. Yusoff Dawood
Keyword(s):  
Corpus Luteum ◽  
Luteal Phase ◽  
Adherens Junctions ◽  
Tunica Albuginea ◽  
Corpora Lutea ◽  
Papio Anubis ◽  
Lh Surge ◽  
Luteal Cells ◽  
Steroidogenic Cells ◽  
E Cadherin

We have recently shown the presence of E-cadherin and of α- and γ-catenins in human and baboon corpora lutea. These are components of adherens junctions between cells. The cytoplasmic catenins link the cell membrane-associated cadherins to the actin-based cytoskeleton. This interaction is necessary for the functional activity of the E-cad-herins. Our aim therefore was to determine the presence of α-actin in the baboon corpus luteum, to further establish whether the necessary components for E-cadherin activity are present in this tissue. An antibody specific for the smooth muscle isoform of actin, α-actin, was used for these studies. The results using immunohistochemistry show that (a) α-actin is present in steroidogenic cells of the active corpus luteum, theca externa of the corpus luteum, cells of the vasculature, and the tunica albuginea surrounding the ovary. The intensity of immunoreactivity for α-actin varied, with the cells of the vasculature reacting more intensely than the luteal cells. A difference in intensity of immunoreactivity was also observed among the luteal cells, with the inner granulosa cells showing stronger immunoreactivity than the peripheral theca lutein cells. There was no detectable immunoreactivity in the steroidogenic cells of the atretic corpus luteum. However, in both the active and atretic corpora lutea, α-actin-positive vascular cells were dispersed within the tissue. (b) Total α-actin (luteal and non-luteal), as determined by Western blot analyses, does not change during the luteal phase and subsequent corpus luteum demise (atretic corpora lutea). (c) hCG stimulated the expression of α-actin and progesterone secretion by the early luteal phase (LH surge + 1–5 days) and midluteal phase (LH surge + 6–10 days) cells in culture, but only progesterone in the late luteal phase (LH surge + 11–15 days). The data show that α-actin is present in luteal cells and that its expression is regulated by hCG, thus suggesting that E-cadherin may form functional adherens junctions in the corpus luteum.

scholarly journals Control of Steroidogenesis in Small and Large Bovine Luteal. Cells

1987 ◽  
Vol 40 (3) ◽  
pp. 331 ◽  
Author(s):  
William Hansel ◽  
Hector W Alila ◽  
Joseph P Dowd ◽  
Xiangzhong Yang
Keyword(s):  
Protein Kinase C ◽  
Protein Kinase ◽  
Corpus Luteum ◽  
Luteal Cell ◽  
Lipoxygenase Pathway ◽  
Luteal Cells ◽  
Kinase C ◽  
Bovine Corpus Luteum ◽  
Progesterone Synthesis

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.

scholarly journals Purification, Morphology, and Progesterone Production and Content of Three Cell Types Isolated from the Corpus Luteum of the Sheep

1982 ◽  
Vol 35 (4) ◽  
pp. 441 ◽  
Author(s):  
RJ Rodgers ◽  
JD O'Shea
Keyword(s):  
Endothelial Cells ◽  
Smooth Muscle ◽  
Corpus Luteum ◽  
Cell Types ◽  
Cellular Composition ◽  
Isolation And Purification ◽  
Luteal Cells ◽  
Ficoll Gradient ◽  
Luteal Tissue ◽  
Cell Fractions

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.

scholarly journals Is the canine corpus luteum an insulin-sensitive tissue?

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 ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Glucose Uptake ◽  
Corpus Luteum ◽  
Molecular Mechanisms ◽  
Glucose Transporter ◽  
Hypoxia Inducible Factor ◽  
Glucose Disposal ◽  
Luteal Cell ◽  
Luteal Function ◽  
Luteal Cells ◽  
Glut4 Expression

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.

CHANGES IN THE DENSITY AND PROGESTERONE CONTENT OF LUTEAL TISSUE IN THE EGYPTIAN BUFFALO DURING THE OESTROUS CYCLE

1967 ◽  
Vol 39 (2) ◽  
pp. 163-171 ◽  
Author(s):  
A. S. EL-SHEIKH ◽  
FRANÇOIS B. SAKLA ◽  
SAFAA O. AMIN
Keyword(s):  
Corpus Luteum ◽  
Cell Volume ◽  
Distribution System ◽  
Oestrous Cycle ◽  
Luteal Cell ◽  
Corpora Lutea ◽  
Luteal Cells ◽  
Functional Changes ◽  
Parallel Increase ◽  
Luteal Tissue

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.

Does prostacyclin (PGI2) support porcine corpus luteum function? – data from in vitro study

2016 ◽  
Vol 62 (5) ◽  
pp. 49
Author(s):  
Magdalena Julia Szymańska ◽  
Agnieszka Blitek
Keyword(s):  
Endothelial Cells ◽  
Mrna Expression ◽  
Corpus Luteum ◽  
Estrous Cycle ◽  
In Vitro Study ◽  
Luteal Cells ◽  
Enzymatic Isolation ◽  
Effective Doses ◽  
And Function

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.

scholarly journals Expression of vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) receptors in rat corpus luteum: regulation by oestradiol during mid-pregnancy

Reproduction ◽  
2001 ◽  
pp. 875-881 ◽  
Author(s):  
N Sugino ◽  
S Kashida ◽  
S Takiguchi ◽  
A Karube-Harada ◽  
H Kato
Keyword(s):  
Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor ◽  
Endothelial Cells ◽  
Growth Factor ◽  
Corpus Luteum ◽  
Vascular Endothelial Cells ◽  
Corpora Lutea ◽  
Vascular Endothelial ◽  
Vegf Receptors ◽  
Luteal Cells ◽  
Endothelial Growth Factor

The aim of this study was to investigate the expression of vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) receptors, the fms-like tyrosine kinase (flt-1) and kinase insert domain-containing region (KDR), in corpora lutea obtained at different stages of the oestrous cycle and during pregnancy in rats. Immunohistochemistry revealed that both flt-1 and KDR were localized in luteal cells in addition to vascular endothelial cells, and that the intensity of staining was stronger in pregnant rats than in cyclic rats. Rats undergoing hypophysectomy-hysterectomy on day 12 of pregnancy were treated with oestradiol until day 15 of pregnancy to determine whether oestradiol is involved in expression of flt-1 and KDR mRNA in the corpus luteum during mid-pregnancy. The flt-1 and KDR mRNA contents in the corpus luteum were decreased significantly by hypophysectomy-hysterectomy, and these decreases recovered significantly after oestradiol treatment. Changes in the mass of the corpus luteum and serum progesterone concentrations paralleled the changes in expression of flt-1 and KDR mRNA. Developmental studies indicated that flt-1 and KDR mRNA contents in the corpus luteum were constant until day 15 of pregnancy but decreased significantly on day 21 of pregnancy. In conclusion, both flt-1 and KDR were expressed in luteal cells in addition to vascular endothelial cells, and expression was upregulated by oestradiol during mid-pregnancy. flt-1 and KDR may play a role in development of the corpus luteum and in production of progesterone during mid-pregnancy in rats.

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