EFFECT OF POST-OVULATORY ADMINISTERED OESTROGENS ON CORPUS LUTEUM FUNCTION

1975 ◽  
Vol 79 (2) ◽  
pp. 329-336 ◽  
Author(s):  
F. Lehmann ◽  
I. Just-Nastansky ◽  
B. Behrendt ◽  
P.-J. Czygan ◽  
G. Bettendorf

ABSTRACT The effect of orally given diethylstilboestroldiphosphate (DES) and 17α-ethinyl-oestradiol-3-methylether (EEM) on plasma progesterone levels was studied. Both compounds were administered for 5 days to 5 women in daily doses of 60 mg (DES) and 30 mg (EEM). The fully informed volunteers were found to have a normal menstrual cycle before the study. The mean corpus luteum phase (corpus luteum phase = days between LH surge and onset of menstruation) of all control cycles lasted 12.8 days. Daily plasma samples were collected for radioimmunoassay (RIA) of progesterone, immunoreactive oestrogens and LH. After a control cycle the first treatment was carried out with DES. The third and the fifth cycle were control cycles again. The EEM-treatment was done in the fourth cycle. Although the effect of the two compounds was different, a dependence of the age of the corpus luteum (CL) could be demonstrated for both. DES-treatment lowered plasma progesterone levels during administration. This effect was only demonstrable if the treatment was begun on the day of the LH-peak. The length of the CL-phase remained unaltered. EEM-treatment if started on the day of the LH surge, suppressed corpus luteum function in the late luteal phase. If the treatment was started later, the effect was less pronounced. The administration of both compounds did not shorten the time between ovulation and the next bleeding. After DES-treatment this interval was not altered. After EEM-treatment the subsequent bleeding was even delayed depending on slowly decreasing levels of plasma oestrogens.

Reproduction ◽  
2001 ◽  
pp. 643-648 ◽  
Author(s):  
A Shaham-Albalancy ◽  
Y Folman ◽  
M Kaim ◽  
M Rosenberg ◽  
D Wolfenson

Low progesterone concentrations during the bovine oestrous cycle induce enhanced responsiveness to oxytocin challenge late in the luteal phase of the same cycle. The delayed effect of low progesterone concentrations during one oestrous cycle on uterine PGF(2alpha) secretion after oxytocin challenge on day 15 or 16 of the subsequent cycle was studied by measuring the concentrations of the major PGF(2alpha) metabolite (13,14-dihydro-15-keto PGF(2alpha); PGFM) in plasma. Two experiments were conducted, differing in the type of progesterone treatment and in the shape of the low progesterone concentration curves. In Expt 1, progesterone supplementation with intravaginal progesterone inserts, with or without an active corpus luteum, was used to obtain high, or low and constant plasma progesterone concentrations, respectively. In Expt 2, untreated cows, representing high progesterone treatment, were compared with cows that had low but increasing plasma progesterone concentrations that were achieved by manipulating endogenous progesterone secretion of the corpus luteum. Neither experiment revealed any differences in plasma progesterone concentrations between the high and low progesterone groups in the subsequent oestrous cycle. In both experiments, both groups had similar basal concentrations of PGFM on day 15 (Expt 1) or 16 (Expt 2) of the subsequent oestrous cycle, 18 days after progesterone treatments had ended. In both experiments, the increases in PGFM concentrations in the low progesterone groups after an oxytocin challenge were markedly higher than in the high progesterone groups. These results indicate that low progesterone concentrations during an oestrous cycle have a delayed stimulatory effect on uterine responsiveness to oxytocin during the late luteal phase of the subsequent cycle. This resulting increase in PGF(2alpha) secretion may interfere with luteal maintenance during the early stages of pregnancy.


1971 ◽  
Vol 68 (3) ◽  
pp. 502-512 ◽  
Author(s):  
Elof D. B. Johansson ◽  
Leif Wide ◽  
Carl Gemzell

ABSTRACT The plasma levels of luteinizing hormone (LH) and progesterone and the urinary excretion of LH and oestrogens were measured during the normal menstrual cycle of 22 young and healthy women. A total of 42 cycles were investigated. The urinary excretion of total oestrogens increased during several days before the rise of LH in the urine. The day of maximum excretion of LH and total oestrogens coincided during the midcycle period. The mid-cyclic rise in LH was found to occur on the same day in the plasma and urine and the days of maximum values coincided in 11 out of 16 cycles. In 5 cycles the maximum level was reached one day later in the urine. The plasma levels of progesterone started to increase during the LH and oestrogen peaks. The days for maximum levels of progesterone coincided with the second peak of urinary oestrogens. The levels of progesterone in the plasma reached values above 10 ng per ml in all normal cycles. The plasma levels of progesterone were below 1 ng per ml plasma when menstrual bleeding started. The length of the luteal phase was 14.4 ± 1.1 (s) days. The sum of daily urinary excretion of total oestrogens and the sum of the daily plasma progesterone levels varied within 15 per cent of the mean in five out of six women studied during more than two cycles. The variation in values for the sums of daily oestrogen excretion and plasma progesterone levels was considerably larger between menstrual cycles of different women than between menstrual cycles of the same woman.


1975 ◽  
Vol 79 (4) ◽  
pp. 625-634 ◽  
Author(s):  
Elwyn M. Grimes ◽  
Irwin E. Thompson ◽  
Melvin L. Taymor

ABSTRACT Thirty-one ovulatory women between 20 and 33 years of age were given 150 μg of synthetic LH-RH during different phases of the menstrual cycle. Five patients were studied during the early follicular phase (days 4–7); 10 patients during the late follicular phase (days 9–12); 6 patients during the "LH Surge"; 5 patients during the early luteal phase (days 14–16); 3 patients during mid-luteal phase (days 17–21); and 2 patients during late luteal phase (days 22–27). Oestrogen, progesterone, FSH and LH levels were determined from 30 min prior to LH-RH administration to 90 min thereafter in all cases. LH response to LH-RH increased progressively during the follicular phase. Enhanced pituitary responsiveness to LH-RH occurred at mid-cycle for both LH and FSH and maximum LH responses occurred during the "LH Surge" and early luteal phase. LH responses during the mid and late luteal phases were similar to late follicular phase responses. There were no significant differences between FSH responses during the early follicular, late follicular, mid-luteal and late luteal phases. Maximum pituitary responsiveness appears to occur in a gonadal steroid milieu of high oestrogen levels in association with rising but low progesterone levels. Progesterone or a crucial oestrogen: progesterone ratio may in fact potentiate pituitary release of LH during the early stages of corpus luteum formation. Pituitary responsiveness to LH-RH correlates positively with basal LH and oestrogen levels during the menstrual cycle and with the oestrogen:progesterone ratio during the luteal phase.


1980 ◽  
Vol 93 (3) ◽  
pp. 257-263 ◽  
Author(s):  
A. Miyake ◽  
Y. Kawamura ◽  
T. Aono ◽  
K. Kurachi

Abstract. The plasma concentrations of immunoreactive LRH, LH, FSH, oestradiol and progesterone were measured daily by a sensitive double antibody radioimmunoassay during 12 cycles of 8 normal cyclic women. The mean (± se) immunoreactive LRH levels in the follicular and luteal phase except the immunoreactive LRH peaks during normal cycles were 4.18 ± 0.38 pg/ml and 4.50 ± 0.45 pg/ml, respectively. The immunoreactive LRH peaks were observed in 11 of 12 cycles, appearing on day −4 to −1 from the LH surge in 9 cycles and on day +1 and +2 in 2 cycles. The mean value of immunoreactice LRH peaks was 42.0 ± 11.4 pg/ml with range of 12 to 154 pg/ml. The immunoreactive LRH peak lasted for one day in 10 cycles and for 4 days in one cycle. The immunoreactive LRH peaks in different cycles of the same women did not occur on the same day relative to the LH peak. The plasma immunoreactive LRH levels measured every 10 min for 40 min periods every day in normal cyclic women during the ovulatory phase showed slight, but not significant fluctuations. Plasma oestradiol levels began to increase on day −6, reaching a peak on day − 1, and were followed by peaks of LH and FSH. These data indicate that increase in serum oestradiol was followed by release of LRH from the hypothalamus and pre-ovulatory discharge of gonadotrophins from the pituitary.


1998 ◽  
Vol 157 (3) ◽  
pp. 405-414 ◽  
Author(s):  
FS Khan-Dawood ◽  
J Yang ◽  
MY Dawood

The synthesis and secretion of progesterone in the corpus luteum are regulated by both endocrine and paracrine/ autocrine factors which affect the steroidogenic cells. Evidence suggests that these cells communicate via cell-cell junctional proteins, the connexins. Previously we have shown that connexin-43 is expressed in both human and baboon (Papio hamadryus anubis) corpora lutea, with differential expression throughout luteal development, but is not detectable in corpora albicantia. We have examined the effect of human chorionic gonadotropin (hCG), oxytocin, clomiphene citrate and the anti-progesterone onapristone on expression of connexin-43 protein in the early luteal phase 1-5 days after the mid-cycle luteinizing hormone (LH) surge (LH+ 1-5 days), the mid-luteal phase 6-10 days after the LH surge (LH+ 6-10 days), and the late luteal phase 11-15 days after the LH surge (LH+ 11-15 days) in corpora lutea obtained from normal adult cycling females. Connexin-43 was localized by immunohistochemistry in cultured cells from all the three stages. Western blot analysis of the treated cells indicated the presence of two bands at 43 and 45 kDa. The band at 45 kDa was found to be phosphorylated connexin-43, indicating the presence of functional gap junctions. hCG (10 IU/ml) stimulated the expression of connexin-43 throughout luteal development; however, maximum expression occurred in the early luteal phase with a significantly greater expression of the non-phosphorylated protein. In contrast, in the mid-luteal phase, the expression of the phosphorylated protein was predominant. Oxytocin (200 mU/ml) also stimulated connexin-43 expression throughout luteal development with similar effects on the phosphorylated and non-phosphorylated protein in the early and mid-luteal phase; however, compared with hCG, oxytocin had a greater effect on mid-luteal phase connexin-43 expression. In the presence of both hCG and oxytocin, the expression of connexin-43 was significantly higher than the control only in the late luteal phase. Both clomiphene citrate and onapristone suppressed connexin-43 expression, and concomitant addition of hCG did not counteract their effect. In the context of our previous studies, it is concluded that, together with LH/hCG and the steroid hormones, oxytocin is involved in cell-cell contact-dependent communication in the corpus luteum.


1967 ◽  
Vol 55 (1) ◽  
pp. 91-96 ◽  
Author(s):  
Benno Runnebaum ◽  
Josef Zander

ABSTRACT Progesterone was determined and identified in human peripheral blood during the preovulatory period of the menstrual cycle, by combined isotope derivative and recrystallization analysis. The mean concentration of progesterone in 1.095 ml of plasma obtained 9 days before ovulation was 0.084 μg/100 ml. However, the mean concentration of progesterone in 1.122 ml of plasma obtained 4 days before ovulation was 0.279 μg/100 ml. These data demonstrate a source of progesterone secretion other than the corpus luteum. The higher plasma-progesterone concentration 4 days before ovulation may indicate progesterone secretion of the ripening Graafian follicle of the ovary.


1988 ◽  
Vol 119 (1) ◽  
pp. 111-116 ◽  
Author(s):  
G. J. King ◽  
R. Rajamahendran

ABSTRACT Plasma progesterone concentrations were compared in cyclic (n = 12), pregnant (n =12), oestradiol-induced pseudopregnant (n=12) and hysterectomized gilts (n=10) between days 8 and 27 after oestrus. The results were grouped into periods covering days 8–13, 14–20 and 21–27 and analysed by least-squares analysis of variance. Plasma progesterone concentrations were significantly (P<0·001) higher in hysterectomized compared with other groups between days 8 and 13. Progesterone concentrations declined rapidly after day 14 in cyclic females and gradually in the other groups. Throughout the third and fourth weeks the mean progesterone concentrations for hysterectomized animals were consistently higher than for pseudopregnant animals (P<0·05). The pregnant group means were below but not significantly different from the hysterectomized means in both of the last two periods. The greater progesterone concentrations in hysterectomized gilts indicated that secretion is high without any conceptus-produced or -mediated luteotrophin, and corpora lutea in cyclic, pregnant or pseudopregnant gilts may never reach full secretory potential. J. Endocr. (1988) 119, 111–116


1997 ◽  
Vol 45 (1) ◽  
pp. 71-77 ◽  
Author(s):  
Firyal S. Khan-Dawood ◽  
Jun Yang ◽  
M. Yusoff Dawood

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.


1999 ◽  
Vol 11 (6) ◽  
pp. 317 ◽  
Author(s):  
K. H. Al-Gubory ◽  
A. Solari ◽  
B. Mirman

In sheep, there have been few and conflicting data regarding the necessity of the corpus luteum (CL) for the maintenance of pregnancy. The aims of the present study were to examine the effect of luteectomy on and after Day 50 of pregnancy on maternal plasma progesterone concentrations and the progression of pregnancy, to determine the minimum placental progesterone support required for the maintenance of pregnancy, and to evaluate the effect of luteectomy on lambing performance. In Experiment 1, four ewes luteectomized on Day 50 of pregnancy aborted 2–7 days after surgery, whereas pregnancy progressed and parturition occurred between Days 143 and 149, with live lambs, in three of four ewes and in four ewes luteectomized on Days 60 and 70 of pregnancy respectively. The mean ( SEM) progesterone concentrations on the day before and one day after luteectomy decreased from 4.87 0.85 to 0.42 0.06 ng mL –1 (P<0.01), from 4.57 0.51 to 0.80 0.12 ng mL –1 (P<0.02) and from 6.05 0.52 to 1.67 0.11 ng mL –1 (P<0.01), respectively, for the ewes luteectomized on Days 50, 60 and 70 of pregnancy. The fall in progesterone concentrations was 90%, 80% and 71%, respectively, for the ewes luteectomized on Days 50, 60 and 70 of pregnancy. In Experiment 2, pregnancy progressed in four ewes luteectomized on Day 70 and parturition occurred between Days 146 and 149, with live lambs. The mean progesterone concentrations declined (P<0.01) from 6.9 0.7 ng mL –1 on the day before luteectomy to 2.1 0.3 ng mL –1 the day after surgery. The concentrations of progesterone in blood collected every 3 h during a 24-h period were stable on Days 60 and 80 of pregnancy, but they were lower (P<0.03) on Day 80 than on Day 60 of pregnancy, for each time period examined. In Experiment 3, the gestation length and birthweights of single, twin and triplet lambs were not different between the control intact ewes (n = 111) and the ewes luteectomized on Days 70–80 of pregnancy (n = 71). Lamb mortality was not different between the two groups (7.2% v. 8.4%, control v. luteectomized). In conclusion, these results showed that (1) the sheep CL is necessary to maintain pregnancy until at least Day 60, (2) progesterone withdrawal induced by luteectomy on and after Day 50 of pregnancy must be of a critical magnitude to provoke abortion, (3) after Day 60 of pregnancy, the CL and the placenta together secrete more progesterone than required for pregnancy maintenance, (4) there is no apparent 24- hour rhythm in maternal plasma progesterone concentrations before and after luteectomy, and (5) luteectomy at mid pregnancy has no apparent effect on gestation length, lamb birthweight or lamb mortality.


Author(s):  
A. J. Dhami ◽  
J. H. Chauhan ◽  
K. K. Hadiya ◽  
N. P. Sarvaiya

Background: Cystic ovarian degeneration (COD) with prevalence of 10-13% is a common and economically important condition in dairy cattle affecting fertility. Predisposing factors and aetiology of ovarian cysts are multifaceted. The most widely accepted cause is either absent, insufficient or wrong time occurrence of pre-ovulatory LH-surge. The accuracy of differential diagnosis of cyst per rectum can be increased by simultaneous use of USG and/or plasma progesterone assay and therapeutic success depends on type and duration of cystic condition. The literature on these aspects in crossbred cows is meagre, hence was planned to differentially diagnose the ovarian follicular and luteal cysts based on clinical, sonographic and endocrine findings and to study the estrus response and conception rates following different treatment modalities of COD in crossbred cattle. Methods: This study was conducted on greater than 90 days postpartum HF crossbred cows with cystic ovaries (n=58) confirmed by per rectal palpation and ultrasonography. The animals with follicular cysts were randomly treated with either conventional Ovsynch or Ovsynch + CIDR protocol (n=10 each) and those with luteal cysts with either Double PG injections 11 days apart or modified Ovsynch protocol (n=16 each) with fixed time AI. A group of six cystic cows was kept as untreated control. Blood samples were collected in heparinized vacutainers, together with trans-rectal ultrasonography, on day 0 (just before initiation of treatment), on day of last PGF2á injection, on day of induced estrus/FTAI and on day 12 post-AI for determination of plasma progesterone and estradiol-17â by RIA technique. Results: The mean diameters and wall thickness of ovarian cysts regressed significantly (p less than 0.01) among responded cows of all four protocols. The estrus induction response within 48-96 hrs of last PG injection with Ovsynch, Ovsynch + CIDR, Modified Ovsynch and Double PG protocols was 90.00, 100.00, 87.50 and 81.25 %, respectively. The conception rates at induced estrus with FTAI for these protocols were 50.00, 40.00, 50.00 and 43.75 %, respectively and the corresponding overall conception rates for 3 cycles’ post-treatment were 60.00, 70.00, 68.75 and 56.25 %, respectively, compared to zero result of control group. The mean plasma progesterone concentration varied highly significantly (p less than 0.01) between periods of treatment in all protocols, the values were lower (p less than 0.01) on day 0 and on day of FTAI than on the day of last PG injection and on day 12 post-AI. The values on day 12 post-AI were significantly higher in conceived than non-conceived cows. The trend of estradiol-17â profile on day of last PG injection was reversed than on day 0. The higher levels of estradiol-17â on day of FTAI were associated with regression of cystic structures and development of new dominant follicles with estrogenic activity concomitant to induced estrus and ovulatory LH surge in most of the animals as evident from USG monitoring, behavioural signs and conception rates.


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