To investigate the possible role of the superoxide radical and its scavenging system in the human corpus luteum, superoxide dismutase (SOD) values and lipid peroxide concentrations were analysed in the corpora lutea during the menstrual cycle and in early pregnancy. Copper-zinc SOD (Cu,Zn-SOD) activities increased from the early to mid-luteal phase, and gradually decreased thereafter and were t...

BACKGROUND Disturbed uterine involution impairs ovarian function in the first weeks after calving. This study analyzed the long-term effect of metritis on luteal function of 47 lactating Holstein-Friesian cows during the first four postpartum estrous cycles. Cows with abnormal uterine enlargement and malodorous lochia were classified as having metritis (group M, n = 18), and all others were con...

To investigate the physiological characteristics of the corpus luteum (CL) of pregnancy, we raised a mAb, human corpus luteum (HCL)-4, against human luteal cells obtained from CL of pregnancy. The affinity-purified antigen from human CL of pregnancy or placenta using HCL-4 was a 61 kDa protein. The partial amino acid sequence of the antigenic protein was identical to that of human monoamine oxi...

BACKGROUND Blood flow in the corpus luteum (CL) is closely related to luteal function. It is unclear how luteal blood flow is regulated. Standardized ovarian-stimulation protocol with a gonadotropin-releasing hormone agonist (GnRHa long protocol) causes luteal phase defect because it drastically suppresses serum LH levels. Examining luteal blood flow in the patient undergoing GnRHa long protoco...

Manipulation of angiogenesis may have a profound effect on female reproductive function, but this has not yet been demonstrated by direct experiment in species with ovulatory cycles similar to those in women. To investigate whether angiogenesis could be inhibited in the primate corpus luteum, and the consequences of such inhibition on luteal function, marmosets were treated with an antibody to ...

The synthesis of progesterone by the corpus luteum is essential for the establishment and maintenance of early pregnancy. Regulation of luteal steroidogenesis can be broken down into three major events; luteinization (i.e., conversion of an ovulatory follicle), luteal regression, and pregnancy induced luteal maintenance/rescue. While the factors that control these events and dictate the final s...