Regulation of the corpus luteum of early pregnancy in the marmoset monkey: local interactions of luteotrophic and luteolytic hormones in vivo and their effects on the secretion of progesterone

in Journal of Endocrinology
Authors:
J. P. Hearn
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G. E. Webley
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ABSTRACT

The interaction between luteotrophic and luteolytic agents in controlling progesterone production by the marmoset corpus luteum in the late luteal phase/early pregnancy was investigated at the local level in vivo using a perfusion cannula system. Perfusion of the prostaglandin F(PGF) analogue, cloprostenol (0·5 μg/ml), resulted in an immediate fall in progesterone production. This response was not sustained in two out of five corpora lutea but pregnancy was terminated in all animals exposed to PGF. Perfusion of human chorionic gonadotrophin (hCG) (4 μg/ml) alone significantly stimulated progesterone secretion but there was no response to hCG when the corpus luteum had previously been perfused with PGF. Perfusion with hCG together with PGF prevented a fall in progesterone secretion. The results suggest that the luteolytic action of PGF in the marmoset may be to prevent luteotrophic support of the corpus luteum. Melatonin (860 pmol/l), perfused either with PGF or after PGF, stimulated progesterone production. The ability of melatonin to influence progesterone production by the primate corpus luteum may therefore be by both a direct luteotrophic action and the prevention of luteolysis. Application of the perfusion system in order to investigate the ability of deglycosylated hCG to antagonize the action of hCG at the corpus luteum showed the necessity of testing pure preparations of hormones.

J. Endocr. (1987) 114, 231–239

 

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