title: Characterization of corpora lutea in monkeys after superovulation with human menopausal gonadotropin or follicle-stimulating hormone.
abstract: The objective of this study was to characterize the corpora lutea (CL) of superovulatory follicles, which form in nonhuman primates after treatment with exogenous gonadotropins. Adult female rhesus monkeys (n = 15) with amenorrhea or irregular menstrual cycles received im injections of either human menopausal gonadotropin [hMG; equivalent amounts (37.5 IU) of hFSH and hLH] or human FSH (37.5 IU) twice daily for 6 or 9 days. One day later, hCG (1000 IU) was administered to induce ovulation. Serum estradiol levels rose rapidly in hMG-treated monkeys. In contrast, estradiol levels did not rise in FSH-treated animals for 3-4 days, but ultimately reached concentrations comparable to or greater than those in hMG-treated monkeys. Serum progesterone levels were low in all groups before hCG injection, but rose thereafter. Peak progesterone levels were greater (P less than 0.05) in 9- vs. 6-day treatment groups. Serum concentrations of hCG peaked within 24 h of injection and declined to undetectable levels 6-7 days later. The mass of luteinized tissue removed 7 days after hCG injection was markedly (P less than 0.01) increased in hMG- and FSH-treated monkeys compared to that of the active CL of the natural menstrual cycle (n = 6). However, the protein content of luteal tissue from FSH-treated monkeys was less (P less than 0.05) than that in hMG-treated groups or in the CL of the natural cycle. Luteal particulate fractions from all treatment groups had [125I]human LH binding sites, with the Kd for LH interaction comparable to that in the CL of the natural cycle. However, the LH-binding capacity in hMG-treated groups was less (P less than 0.05) than that in the CL of the cycle, when normalized per mg tissue wt or protein. Notably, the binding capacity in FSH-treated groups was comparable to that in the CL cycle when expressed per mg protein. Nevertheless, only after 6 days (not 9 days) of FSH treatment or 9 days (not 6 days) of hMG treatment did tissues have a LH-sensitive (activation constant) or LH-responsive adenylate cyclase comparable to that in the CL of the cycle. Thus, properties of the primate CL after superovulation varied markedly with the type and length of gonadotropin treatment employed for follicular stimulation. The findings support the concept that gonadotropin-regulated events in the developing follicle(s) are important determinants of the subsequent character of the primate CL.
mesh_terms: D000262:Adenylyl Cyclases / Q000378:metabolism; D000818:Animals; D003338:Corpus Luteum / Q000187:drug effects* / Q000378:metabolism; D004958:Estradiol / Q000097:blood; D005260:Female; D005640:Follicle Stimulating Hormone / Q000494:pharmacology*; D007986:Luteinizing Hormone / Q000494:pharmacology; D008253:Macaca mulatta; D008596:Menotropins / Q000494:pharmacology*; D008597:Menstrual Cycle; D010060:Ovulation / Q000187:drug effects*; D011374:Progesterone / Q000097:blood; D011506:Proteins / Q000378:metabolism; D011956:Receptors, Cell Surface / Q000187:drug effects; D011974:Receptors, LH; D013480:Superovulation / Q000187:drug effects*
chemical_list: D011506:Proteins; D011956:Receptors, Cell Surface; D011974:Receptors, LH; D011374:Progesterone; D004958:Estradiol; D008596:Menotropins; D007986:Luteinizing Hormone; D005640:Follicle Stimulating Hormone; D000262:Adenylyl Cyclases