CHANGES IN THE BINDING OF HUMAN CHORIONIC GONADOTROPHIN/LUTEINIZING HORMONE, FOLLICLE-STIMULATING HORMONE AND PROLACTIN TO HUMAN CORPORA LUTEA DURING THE MENSTRUAL CYCLE AND PREGNANCY

in Journal of Endocrinology
Authors:
A. S. McNEILLY
Search for other papers by A. S. McNEILLY in
Current site
Google Scholar
PubMed
Close
,
J. KERIN
Search for other papers by J. KERIN in
Current site
Google Scholar
PubMed
Close
,
I. A. SWANSTON
Search for other papers by I. A. SWANSTON in
Current site
Google Scholar
PubMed
Close
,
T. A. BRAMLEY
Search for other papers by T. A. BRAMLEY in
Current site
Google Scholar
PubMed
Close
, and
D. T. BAIRD
Search for other papers by D. T. BAIRD in
Current site
Google Scholar
PubMed
Close
Restricted access
Rent on DeepDyve

Sign up for journal news

The changes in the binding of human chorionic gonadotrophin/luteinizing hormone (HCG/LH), follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH) and prolactin to 44 corpora lutea have been assessed during the luteal phase of the human menstrual cycle and early pregnancy. All corpora lutea bound HCG but out of 32 only ten bound FSH and only seven bound prolactin specifically. While binding of HCG increased to maximal levels in the mid-luteal phase, binding of FSH and prolactin was most often found in the early luteal phase. Maximum binding of HCG was associated with maximum serum levels of progesterone. Luteal regression was associated with a decrease in the binding of HCG but a causal relationship could not be established. Very low binding of HCG was found to corpora lutea of pregnancy.

These results show that (1) the changes in binding of HCG during the luteal phase of the human menstrual cycle are similar to those in other species and (2) there are specific binding sites for prolactin and FSH in the human corpus luteum.

 

  • Collapse
  • Expand