Induction Of Luteal Regression Research Articles

Role of the cell cycle in regression of the corpus luteum

The corpus luteum contains differentiated steroidogenic cells that have exited the cell cycle of proliferation. In some tissues, deletion of quiescent, differentiated cells by apoptosis in response to injury or pathology is preceded by reentry into the cell cycle. We tested whether luteal cells reenter the cell cycle during the physiological process of luteolysis. Ovaries were obtained after injection of cows with a luteolytic dose of prostaglandin F(2)(α) (PGF). In luteal sections, cells co-staining for markers of cell proliferation (MKI67) and apoptosis (cPARP1) increased 24 h after PGF, indicating that cells that reenter the cell cycle undergo apoptosis. The percent of steroidogenic cells (CYP11A1-positive) co-staining for MKI67 increased after PGF, while co-staining of non-steroidogenic cells did not change. Dispersed luteal cells were stained with Nile Red to distinguish lipid-rich steroidogenic cells from nonsteroidogenic cells and co-stained for DNA. Flow cytometry showed that the percent of steroidogenic cells progressing through the cell cycle and undergoing apoptosis increased after PGF. Culturing luteal cells induced reentry of steroidogenic cells into the cell cycle, providing a model to test the influence of the cell cycle on susceptibility to apoptosis. Blocking cells early in the cell cycle using inhibitors reduced cell death in response to treatment with the apoptosis-inducing protein, Fas ligand (FASL). Progesterone treatment reduced progression through the cell cycle and decreased FASL-induced apoptosis. In summary, steroidogenic cells reenter the cell cycle upon induction of luteal regression. While quiescent cells are resistant to apoptosis, entry into the cell cycle promotes susceptibility to apoptosis.

Influence of inducing luteal regression before a modified controlled internal drug-releasing device treatment on control of follicular development1

At the initiation of most controlled internal drug-releasing (CIDR) device protocols, GnRH has been used to induce ovulation and reset follicular waves; however, its ability to initiate a new follicular wave is variable and dependent on stage of the estrous cycle. The objectives of the current studies were to determine 1) if inducing luteal regression before the injection of GnRH at time of insertion of a CIDR resulted in increased control of follicular development, and 2) if removing endogenous progesterone by inducing luteal regression before insertion of the CIDR decreased variation in LH pulse frequency. In Exp. 1 and 2, Angus-cross cycling beef heifers (n = 22 and 38, respectively) were allotted to 1 of 2 treatments: 1) heifers received an injection of PGF(2α) on d -3, an injection of GnRH and insertion of a CIDR on d 0, and a PGF(2α) injection and CIDR removal on d 6 (PG-CIDR) or 2) an injection of GnRH and insertion of a CIDR on d 0 and on d 7 an injection of PGF(2α) and removal of CIDR (Select Synch + CIDR). In Exp. 3, Angus-cross beef heifers (n = 15) were assigned to 1 of 3 treatments: 1) PG-CIDR; 2) PGF(2α) on d -3, GnRH on d 0, and PGF(2α) on d 6 (PG-No CIDR); or 3) Select Synch + CIDR. Follicular development and ovulatory response were determined by transrectal ultrasonography. Across all experiments, more (P = 0.02) heifers treated with PG before GnRH initiated a new follicular wave after the injection of GnRH compared with Select Synch + CIDR-treated heifers. In Exp. 1, after CIDR removal, interval to estrus did not differ (P = 0.18) between treatments; however, the variance for the interval to estrus was reduced (P < 0.01) in PG-CIDR heifers compared with Select Synch + CIDR heifers. In Exp. 3, there was a tendency (P = 0.09) for LH pulse frequency to be greater among PG-CIDR and PG-No CIDR compared with the Select Synch + CIDR, but area under the curve, mean LH concentrations, and mean amplitude did not differ (P > 0.76). In summary, induction of luteal regression before an injection of GnRH increased the percentage of heifers initiating a new follicular wave. Removal of endogenous progesterone tended to increase LH pulse frequency, and the modified treatment increased the synchrony of estrus after CIDR removal.

Effects of Induced Clinical Mastitis During Preovulation on Endocrine and Follicular Function

The objective of the study was to determine if experimentally induced clinical mastitis before ovulation resulted in alterations of endocrine function, follicular growth, or ovulation. On d 8 (estrus = d 0), cows were challenged (TRT; n = 19) with Streptococcus uberis or were not challenged (control; n = 14). Forty-eight hours after induction of luteal regression on d 12, blood samples were collected to determine estradiol-17β, LH pulse frequency, and occurrence of the LH surge. Ovaries were scanned to monitor follicular growth and ovulation. Cows with clinical mastitis (n = 12) had elevated rectal temperatures, somatic cell counts, and mammary scores. Estrus and ovulation occurred in 4 of 12 clinically infected cows and in all control cows. Cows that were challenged but did not develop clinical mastitis (n = 5) displayed estrus and ovulated. Due to differences in expression of estrus, cows were further subdivided for analyses into 4 groups: control, TRT-EST (infected cows that displayed estrus; n = 4), TRT-NOEST (infected cows that did not display estrus; n = 8), and NOMAS (cows that were inoculated but did not develop mastitis; n = 4). Ovulation rate was 100% for CON, NOMAS, and TRT-EST compared with 0% for TRT-NOEST cows. Size of the ovulatory follicle (“presumed” ovulatory follicle in TRT-NOEST cows) was similar for all groups. Frequency of LH pulses was decreased in TRT-NOEST compared with CON, TRT-EST, and NO-MAS. Estradiol-17β increased over time in CON, NO-MAS, and TRT-EST cows, but did not increase in TRT-NOEST cows. Cows with clinical mastitis may exhibit estrus and ovulate normally or have disruptions in normal physiology including decreased LH pulsatility, absence of an LH surge and estrous behavior, suppressed estradiol-17β, and failure to ovulate.

PGF2alpha induced differential expression of genes involved in turnover of extracellular matrix in rat decidual cells

In the rat, the decidual tissue is an important component for maternal recognition of pregnancy. Decidualization can be induced by either the implantation of the blastocyst or by artificial stimuli. The process of decidua formation or decidualization, is characterized by growth and differentiation of endometrial stromal cells. Prostaglandin F2alpha (PGF2α) has been shown to be involved in inhibition of implantation, alteration of embryo development, induction of luteal regression, and the mediation of pregnancy loss induced by microorganism infections. In order to establish a direct role for PGF2α in decidual function, we have evaluated its effects on the expression of an extensive array of genes using primary decidual cell culture. Upon treatment with PGF2α sixty genes were significantly down-regulated whereas only six genes were up-regulated (from a total of 1176 genes studied). Interestingly, the majority of the genes inhibited by PGF2α are either directly or indirectly involved in the turnover of the extracellular matrix (ECM). Genes such as gelatinase A (MMP2), cathepsin L, tissue inhibitor metalloproteinases 2 (TIMP2) and 3 (TIMP3), plasminogen activator inhibitor1 (PAI1), tissue type plasminogen activator (tPA), urokinase plasminogen activator (tPA), endothelin 1, calponin, carboxypeptidase D and calponin acidic were down regulated. The opposite effect was observed for prostromelysin 53 kDa (proMMP3), plasma proteinase I alpha and alpha 1 antiproteinase, all of which were significantly up-regulated by PGF2α. The results strongly suggest that the abortificient role of elevated levels of PGF2α after implantation is due, in large part, to inhibition of genes involved in the normal turnover of the extracellular matrix necessary for decidual formation.

Growth differentiation factor 9 and bone morphogenetic protein 15 are essential for ovarian follicular development in sheep.

The aim of this study was to test the hypothesis that both growth differential factor 9 (GDF9) and bone morphogenetic protein (BMP15; also known as GDF9B) are essential for normal ovarian follicular development in mammals with a low ovulation rate phenotype. Sheep (9-10 per group) were immunized with keyhole limpet hemocyanin (KLH; control), a GDF9-specific peptide conjugated to KLH (GDF9 peptide), a BMP15-specific peptide conjugated to KLH (BMP15 peptide), or the mature region of oBMP15 conjugated to KLH (oBMP15 mature protein) for a period of 7 mo and the effects of these treatments on various ovarian parameters such as ovarian follicular development, ovulation rate, and plasma progesterone concentrations evaluated. Also in the present study, we examined, by immunohistochemistry, the cellular localizations of GDF9 and BMP15 proteins in the ovaries of lambs. Both GDF9 and BMP15 proteins were localized specifically within ovarian follicles to the oocyte, thereby establishing for the sheep that the oocyte is the only intraovarian source of these growth factors. Immunization with either GDF9 peptide or BMP15 peptide caused anovulation in 7 of 10 and 9 of 10 ewes, respectively, when assessed at ovarian collection. Most ewes (7 of 10) immunized with oBMP15 mature protein had a least one observable estrus during the experimental period, and ovulation rate at this estrus was higher in these ewes compared with those immunized with KLH alone. In both the KLH-GDF9 peptide- and KLH-BMP15 peptide-treated ewes, histological examination of the ovaries at recovery (i.e., approximately 7 mo after the primary immunization) showed that most animals had few, if any, normal follicles beyond the primary (i.e., type 2) stage of development. In addition, abnormalities such as enlarged oocytes surrounded by a single layer of flattened and/or cuboidal granulosa cells or oocyte-free nodules of granulosa cells were often observed, especially in the anovulatory ewes. Passive immunization of ewes, each given 100 ml of a pool of plasma from the GDF9 peptide- or BMP15 peptide-immunized ewes at 4 days before induction of luteal regression also disrupted ovarian function. The ewes given the plasma against the GDF9 peptide formed 1-2 corpora lutea but 3 of 5 animals did not display normal luteal phase patterns of progesterone concentrations. The effect of plasma against the BMP15 peptide was more dramatic, with 4 of 5 animals failing to ovulate and 3 of 5 ewes lacking surface-visible antral follicles at laparoscopy. By contrast, administration of plasma against KLH did not affect ovulation rate or luteal function in any animal. In conclusion, these findings support the hypothesis that, in mammals with a low ovulation rate phenotype, both oocyte-derived GDF9 and BMP15 proteins are essential for normal follicular development, including both the early and later stages of growth.

Insulin-like growth factor binding protein-3 mRNA expression in endothelial cells of the primate corpus luteum.

Luteinization is associated with endothelial cell proliferation as part of the extensive angiogenesis necessary to maintain corpus luteum function. However, following luteal demise, the vasculature regresses and the endothelial cells disappear. In the rat corpus luteum, the endothelial cells express high concentrations of insulin-like growth factor-binding protein-3 (IGFBP-3) during luteolysis, suggesting a role of IGFBP-3 during endothelial cell loss. The aim of the present study was to determine the occurrence and location of the messenger ribonucleic acid (mRNA) for IGFBP-3 in the primate corpus luteum, and to determine whether or not induction of luteal regression is associated with changes in localization of the message. Marmoset corpora lutea were studied throughout the cycle. The effects of induced luteolysis were examined 12 h or 24 h after treatment with either a gonadotrophin-releasing hormone antagonist or a prostaglandin F2alpha analogue, administered during the mid-luteal phase. High IGFBP-3 expression was recorded in the endothelial cells of the majority of microvessels and a minority of capillaries surrounding the lutein cells in all functionally active corpora lutea. Expression declined markedly in regressing corpora lutea of the late follicular phase. Expression of the IGFBP-3 mRNA in lutein cells in the control corpus luteum was extremely rare. There were no major differences in the degree and pattern of IGFBP-3 expression as a consequence of induced luteal regression although there was an apparent increase in the number of capillary endothelial cells expressing. Induction of luteolysis resulted in expression in a minority of lutein cells. These results support the concept that IGFBP-3 has an autocrine/paracrine role in regulating various cell types in the primate corpus luteum, including endothelial cells. However, expression of IGFBP-3 mRNA throughout the luteal phase suggests it may regulate angiogenesis and luteal function rather than endothelial cell death and luteolysis.

Induced luteal regression in the primate: evidence for apoptosis and changes in c-myc protein.

There is increasing molecular evidence that apoptosis is involved in the process of structural luteal regression in non-primate species. Apoptosis is dependent upon the activation of certain proto-oncogenes and c-myc protein has an important regulatory role in this process in some cell types. The aim of the present study was to determine the occurrence and localisation of c-myc protein within the primate corpus luteum, determine changes during induction of luteal regression and examine the corpora lutea for morphological evidence of apoptosis. Ovaries were studied from marmoset monkeys in the late follicular, and in the early, mid and late luteal phases. Luteal regression was induced either by treatment with prostaglandin F2 alpha analogue or GnRH antagonist administered during the mid luteal phase and ovaries obtained 24 and 48 h later. Immunocytochemistry was performed using a monoclonal antibody to the c-myc protein. In pre-ovulatory follicles positive staining was found in the nucleus of a few granulosal cells and in the cytoplasm of thecal cells. c-myc was present in all corpora lutea where it was localised predominantly in the cytoplasm. In early corpora lutea, scattered cells with intense staining were observed in the presence of a majority of moderately or weakly stained cells. In the mid and late luteal phases, corpora lutea were uniformly moderately stained for c-myc. Following induction of luteal regression, regression, nuclear degeneration with condensation and fragmentation indicative of apoptosis was observed. In other luteal cells, increased membranes suggested necrosis.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Induction of luteal regression, ovulation and development of new luteal tissue during early pregnancy in heifers

A study was conducted to determine whether luteal tissue formed after administration of exogenous luteinizing hormone (LH) was capable of maintaining pregnancy in the absence of the original corpus luteum (CL) of pregnancy in heifers. Nineteen beef heifers, confirmed pregnant by ultrasonography approximately 28 days after breeding, were randomly assigned to one of two groups. Nine heifers remained as untreated controls to determine the incidence of spontaneous embryonic or fetal loss. Each of the remaining ten heifers was given two Syncro-Mate-B (SMB) ear implants (12 mg of norgestomet) between 30 and 35 days after breeding (day of SMB implant was Day 1). An additional SMB was implanted on Day 8 and another on Day 15. All implants were removed on Day 20. On Day 2, SMB-implanted heifers were given an intramuscular (i.m.) injection of 500 μg of cloprostenol to induce luteal regression. On Day 5, regression of the CL was confirmed by ultrasonography and these heifers received a highly purified porcine LH preparation (50 mg Armour, i.m.); an additional 25 mg was injected i.m. on Day 6. Ovulation occurred in all ten LH-treated heifers and was detected on Day 7.2±0.1 (mean±SEM). In five of ten LH-treated heifers, the induced CL regressed, and was last detected by ultrasonography on Day 15.8±0.4 (range, Day 15–17). Pregnancy was not maintained in these heifers after SMB implants were removed. Pregnancy was maintained until Day 40 (end of experiment) in the remaining five LH-treated heifers and in all nine control heifers. In all five heifers in which the induced CL regressed, this CL had formed in the ovary contralateral to the original CL of pregnancy. In contrast, in four of five heifers in which the induced CL was maintained, this CL had formed in the ovary ipsilateral to the original CL of pregnancy. Although LH induced ovulation and CL formation in the absence of the CL of pregnancy and in the presence of continuous progestagen support, short-lived CL were formed in five of ten heifers.

Hormone production in vivo and in vitro from follicles at different stages of the oestrous cycle in the sheep

This experiment was undertaken in order to investigate the production of inhibin, oestradiol and androstenedione by ovarian follicles at different stages of the oestrous cycle in sheep. Twenty-four Scottish Blackface ewes were allocated to four groups of six ewes, i.e. those operated on during the luteal phase (day 10), and those operated on during the follicular phase 24-30, 36 and 60 h after the induction of luteal regression by an injection of 125 micrograms cloprostenol on day 10 of the luteal phase. Samples of jugular and ovarian venous blood were collected under anaesthesia and ovaries were then removed and all follicles larger than 3 mm diameter dissected out and incubated in medium for 2 h. After injection of cloprostenol, luteal regression occurred as indicated by a fall in the secretion rate of progesterone. The ovarian secretion rate of inhibin was similar at all stages of the follicular phase and during the luteal phase while, in contrast, the secretion rate of oestradiol was significantly (P less than 0.05) elevated in the group 24 h after injection of cloprostenol. There was good correlation between the in-vivo ovarian secretion rate and production rate during incubation in vitro for both inhibin (r = 0.57) and oestradiol (r = 0.60). When follicle diameter was compared with in-vitro hormone production there was good correlation for inhibin (r = 0.72) with larger follicles producing more inhibin, while the value for oestradiol was somewhat lower (r = 0.57) owing to the presence of large atretic follicles with low oestradiol production. Androstenedione production showed a lower correlation with follicle diameter (r = 0.39). When the four time periods were compared separately, there were significantly (P less than 0.05) more follicles with high in-vitro oestradiol production (greater than 90 fmol/min) in the group at 36 h than in the other three groups, while inhibin release in relation to follicle size was similar in the four groups. Large oestrogenic follicles were responsible for 90% of the total oestradiol production during culture while only providing 55% of the total inhibin production, with large non-oestrogenic and small follicles contributing 33% and 12% of inhibin production respectively. From the results of this study we conclude that while oestradiol is mainly produced by the large oestrogenic follicles, a considerable amount of inhibin is also produced by large non-oestrogenic and small follicles.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 400 WORDS)

Induction of luteal regression in the marmoset monkey (Callithrix jacchus) by a gonadotrophin-releasing hormone antagonist and the effects on subsequent follicular development.

Doses of 100 or 200 micrograms of a novel GnRH antagonist ([N-acetyl-D beta Na11-D-pCl-Phe2-D-Phe3-D-Arg6-Phe7-Arg8-D-Ala10]NH2 GnRH) (4 animals/dose) were administered on Days 10/11 of the luteal phase and induced a marked suppression of circulating bioactive LH and progesterone concentrations within 1 day of treatment (P less than 0.01). Thereafter, progesterone concentrations remained low or undetectable until after the next ovulation. Similar results were obtained when 200 micrograms antagonist were given on Days 5/6 of the luteal phase (N = 4). The interval from injection of antagonist (200 micrograms but not 100 micrograms) to ovulation (based on a rise in progesterone above 10 ng/ml) was significantly longer than that from prostaglandin-induced luteal regression to ovulation in control cycles (N = 4/treatment) (range, 13-15 days after antagonist vs 8-10 days after prostaglandin, P less than 0.01). This delay of 4-5 days was equivalent to the duration for which LH concentrations were significantly suppressed by 200 micrograms antagonist when administered to ovariectomized animals (N = 3). Corpus luteum function during the cycle after GnRH antagonist treatment appeared normal according to the pattern of circulating progesterone. These results show that corpus luteum function and preovulatory follicular development in the marmoset monkey are dependent on pituitary gonadotrophin secretion.

Effects of domperidone and thyrotropin-releasing hormone on secretion of luteinizing hormone and prolactin during the luteal phase and following induction of luteal regression in sheep

Effects of domperidone, a peripheral dopamine receptor antagonist, on secretion of LH and prolactin were studied during the luteal phase and following administration of PGF 2α. Since hyperprolactinemia has been reported to inhibit secretion of LH in ewes, effects of thyrotropin-releasing hormone (TRH) also were examined. Ewes 8–10 days post-estrus were assigned to be treated with: 1) vehicle (n=5); 2) 0.3 mg domperidone (n=6); 3) 1.0 mg domperidone (n=6); 4) 3 μg TRH (n=6); or 5) 10μg TRH (n=6) every 4 hours for 60 hr. Luteal regression was induced with PGF 2α at 12 hr after initiation of treatments. During the luteal phase, pulses of LH were more frequent (P<.05) and the amplitudes of these were higher (P<.05) in ewes treated with domperidone or TRH than in control ewes. These changes in LH occured even though each treatment elevated markedly concentrations of prolactin in plasma. After induction of luteal regression, mean of LH and frequency of LH discharges were similar in all groups. However, in ewes treated with the 1.0 mg/4 hr dose of domperidone the pulse amplitude was greater than in the other groups (2.3 vs 1.1 ng/ml). Dose-response relationships and the magnitude of the prolactin release following domperidone or TRH varied with time. Treatments did not affect the timing of the LH surge or the increase in progesterone associated with the subsequent cycle. Based on these data we conclude that: 1) endogenous hypothalamic dopamine mediates some of the inhibitory effects of progesterone on secretion of LH and prolactin; 2) dopamine limits the extent of the usual follicular phase increase in prolactin; 3) acute hyperprolactinemia does not inhibit the secretion of LH; and 4) administration of TRH can increase the frequency and amplitude of LH pulse frequency and amplitude in sheep in the luteal phase of LH in sheep.

Relationship between LH, FSH, and prolactin concentration and the secretion of androgens and estrogens by the preovulatory follicle in the ewe.

The ovarian secretion of estradiol, androstenedione, testosterone, and progesterone and the concentration of LH, FSH, and prolactin were measured in the periovulatory period of five ewes with ovarian or utero-ovarian autotransplants. Samples of jugular and ovarian venous blood were collected every 1 or 2 h before and for 96 h after induction of luteal regression on Day 10 of the cycle by injection of 100 µg cloprostenol. Progesterone concentration in jugular vein plasma fell to less than 1 ng/ml in all ewes by 24 h, and coincidental to this decline there was a significant increase in the secretion of LH and prolactin and an associated rise in the ovarian venous concentration of estradiol, testosterone, and androstenedione. The rise in LH secretion was associated with a twofold increase in the frequency of episodic pulses each of which stimulated an increase in the secretion of estradiol. In contrast the concentration of FSH declined significantly in the 48 h after luteal regression. Shortly after the onset of estrus (48 ± 2.5 h), there was a marked rise in the concentration of prolactin, FSH, and LH which reached a peak at 61 ± 4 h. At the start of this preovulating LH surge, there was a further substantial stimulation in the secretion of estradiol, testosterone, and androstenedione, followed by a sharp fall within 3, 5, and 7 h, respectively. In the 24 h after the preovulatory surge, there was a marked decline in the concentration of LH and prolactin as well as all ovarian steroids. However, within 12 h there was a further rise in the concentration of FSH which reached a second peak at 23 h after the LH peak. These results suggest that the increased secretion of estradiol from the preovulatory follicle is due to stimulation by episodic pulses of LH which occur with increased frequency as the concentration of progesterone falls during luteal regression. The sustained rise in LH which occurs during the preovulatory surge stimulates and then markedly inhibits aromatase activity and eventually all steroid secretion from the follicle. Thus the final stages of development of the preovulatory follicle are determined not by FSH but by the pattern of secretion of LH.