In the normal oestrous cycle of the female house mouse, a true luteal phase is absent. Some unknown stimulus provided by the male during mating induces the luteal phase of the oestrous cycle in the female. Land & McGill (1967) initiated a search for this stimulus. They recognized three possible sources of stimulation from the male that might be either sufficient or necessary for the induction o...

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...

1. We undertook a temporal study of external sodium-stimulated lithium efflux (sodium-lithium countertransport) in erythrocytes and blood pressure by measuring these two parameters in three phases of the menstrual cycle (menstrual, midcycle and luteal phases) in 22 healthy, non-medicated females with regular menstrual cycles. Plasma oestradiol and progesterone levels were also determined. 2. So...

This study characterizes the cytochemical properties of the Golgi complex, the structure which corresponds to Golgi complex-endoplasmic reticulum-lysosomes (GERL), and the granule population in luteal cells of guinea pigs at the time of maximum progesterone secretion, in material fixed by vascular perfusion, a method particularly suited for preserving both fine structure and enzyme activity. Th...

Prostaglandin F(2alpha) (PGF(2alpha)) acting via a G protein-coupled receptor has been shown to induce apoptosis in the corpus luteum of many species. Studies were carried out to characterize changes in the apoptotic signaling cascade(s) culminating in luteal tissue apoptosis during PGF(2alpha)-induced luteolysis in the bovine species in which initiation of apoptosis was demonstrable at 18 h af...

We examined the effects of LPA on TNFα and IFNγ - induced decrease of P4 synthesis and on the cytokine - induced apoptosis of the cultured luteal cells. In the steroidogenic luteal cells LPA reversed the inhibitory effect of TNFα and IFNγ on P4 synthesis and also inhibited the stimulatory effects of TNFα and IFNγ on the expression of Bax, TNFR1, Fas and FasL as well as caspase 3 activity. These...

We recently demonstrated that luteal cells flow out from the ovary via lymphatic vessels during luteolysis. However, the regulatory mechanisms of the outflow of luteal cells are not known. Matrix metalloproteinases (MMPs) can degrade the extracellular matrix and basal membrane, and tissue inhibitors of matrix metalloproteinases (TIMPs) inhibit the activity of MMPs. To test the hypothesis that M...

We examined the participation of the intraluteal levels of progesterone (P4) and prostaglandin F2 alpha (PGF2 alpha) in the induction of luteolysis by LH and its relationship with the induction of the 20 alpha-hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase activity (20 alpha-HSD). Subcutaneous administration of four doses of 10 microgram ovine LH (oLH) at 0800, 0900, 1000 and 1100 h on day 19 of pregnancy induce...

Fecal steroid analyses were conducted on captive (n = 10) and free-ranging (n = 2) sun bears (Helarctos malayanus) in order to establish a noninvasive technique for monitoring endocrine profiles during the estrous cycle and pregnancy. Secondly, the effect of the contraceptive porcine zona pellucida protein (PZP) on reproductive function was studied. Finally, we investigated whether the sun bear...

STUDY QUESTION Can the luteal phase support be improved in terms of efficacy, hormonal profiles and convenience as compared with today's standard care? SUMMARY ANSWER Daily low-dose rhCG supplementation in GnRHa triggered IVF cycles can replace the traditional used luteal phase support with exogenous progesterone. WHAT IS KNOWN ALREADY A bolus of hCG for final maturation of follicles in con...