title: Quantitative cytochemical analyses of ovarian luteal and interstitial cell RNA in relation to plasma progestins during pseudopregnancy in the rat.
abstract: Luteal and interstitial cell RNA contents and circulating progesterone (P) and 20 alpha-hydroxypregn-4-ene-3-one (20 alpha-OH P) levels were measured during pseudopregnancy in order to characterize relationships between ovarian 20 alpha-OH P secretion and luteal regression. Functional luteolysis, as manifested in depressed P levels, was not associated with concurrent elevations in 20 alpha-OH P. Rather, augmented 20 alpha-OH P levels were evidenced in periovulatory periods at the onset and termination of pseudopregnancy, subsequent to RNA accumulation in both luteal and interstitial compartments. It is postulated that 20 alpha-OH P, the putative inactive metabolite of P, is produced by both ovarian compartments in a cyclic manner and in response to gonadotrophin released in the preovulatory period.
mesh_terms: D004092:20-alpha-Dihydroprogesterone / Q000097:blood; D000818:Animals; D003338:Corpus Luteum / Q000378:metabolism; D005260:Female; D006651:Histocytochemistry; D010053:Ovary / Q000378:metabolism*; D011374:Progesterone / Q000097:blood; D011372:Progestins / Q000097:blood*; D011555:Pseudopregnancy / Q000378:metabolism*; D012313:RNA / Q000378:metabolism*; D051381:Rats; D011919:Rats, Inbred Strains; D013997:Time Factors
chemical_list: D011372:Progestins; D004092:20-alpha-Dihydroprogesterone; D011374:Progesterone; D012313:RNA