Ovarian stimulation for IVF is known to affect luteal phase function. The endometrium in IVF cycles is thus subject to an altered endocrinological environment and to a possible direct effect of the ovarian stimulation therapy. Factors influencing the endometrial receptivity in such cycles are poorly understood. Studies comparing the endometrium in IVF cycles with natural cycles as controls have...

Recent studies have shown that microgravity induces changes at the cellular level, including apoptosis. However, it is unknown whether microgravity affects luteal cell function. This study was performed to assess whether microgravity conditions generated by clinostat rotation induce apoptosis and affect steroidogenesis by luteal cells. Luteal cells isolated from the corpora lutea of Day 8 pregn...

Dopamine (DA) receptor (DR) type 1 (D1R) has been found to be expressed in luteal cells of various species, but the intrinsic role of the DA/DRs system on corpora lutea (CL) function is still unclear. Experiments were devised to characterize the expression of DR types and the presence of DA, as well as the in vitro effects of DA on hormone productions by CL in pseudopregnant rabbits. Immunoreac...

Circulating LH is essential for the development and function of the primate corpus luteum (CL) during the menstrual cycle. However, the cellular and molecular processes whereby LH controls luteal structure and function are poorly understood. Therefore, studies were initiated to identify gene products that are regulated by gonadotrophin in the monkey CL. Rhesus monkeys either were untreated (con...

Cells expressing class II major histocompatibility complex (MHC) molecules are found within the corpus luteum (CL) of several species. Expression and localization of class II MHC molecules in the bovine CL were examined in the present study. Immunohistochemical evaluation revealed class II MHC molecules on single cells in early CL (days 4 and 5 post-estrus). Two class II MHC-expressing cell typ...

Follicular formation, growth or atresia, and ovulation as well as luteal formation and subsequent regression are dependent upon cyclical remodeling of the extracellular matrix (ECM). The proteinaceous and nonproteinaceous components of the ECM provide the tissue specific, extracellular architecture to which cells attach. Furthermore, the ECM modulates cellular activities through cellular surfac...

Since luteal vascularization plays a decisive role for the function of the corpus luteum (CL), the investigation of luteal blood flow (LBF) might give valuable information about the physiology and patho-physiology of the CL. To quantify LBF, usually Power mode color Doppler ultrasonography is used. This method detects the number of red blood cells moving through the vessels and shows them as co...