Hormonal Regulation of Endometrial Prostaglandin F2α Production during the Luteal Phase of the Rhesus Monkey1

Abstract

To study the hormonal regulation of prostaglandin (PG) production by the endometrium during the luteal phase of the primate menstrual cycle, the standard artificial menstrual cycle (SAMC) of the rhesus monkey was manipulated (MAMC) such that in one group of monkeys, there was an absence of the mid-cycle peak of estradiol-17 beta (E), but normal luteal phase progesterone (P). In the second group, there was a mid-cycle peak of E, but no luteal phase P. The accumulation of PGF2 alpha in tissue culture medium from explants of endometrium obtained on cycle Day 14 or 23 of the MAMC was compared to the accumulation of PGF2 alpha from explants on cycle Day 14 or 23 of the SAMC (expressed as mean ng +/- SEM/mg/24 h). Omission of the mid-cycle E peak in the MAMC did not alter endometrial PGF2 alpha production in vitro on cycle Day 14, compared to the SAMC; whereas, on cycle Day 23 PGF2 alpha, production was reduced (35.1 +/- 6.4 ng/mg/24 h), compared to that in the SAMC (53.8 +/- 10.3 ng/mg/24 h; p = 0.06). Omission of P during the MAMC resulted in higher PGF2 alpha production in vitro on cycle Day 14 (p < 0.01) and lower PGF2 alpha production on cycle Day 23 (p = 0.05), compared to that in the SAMC on these days.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)