Spontaneous luteinization of antral marmoset follicles in vitro.
Large non-luteinized follicles of the marmoset monkey were cultured for up to 96 h in the presence of substances that are known to induce luteinization, i.e. LH, transforming growth factor (TGF)-beta and cyclic AMP. The state of the basal lamina, and the expression of connexin-43, alpha(2) integrin subunit and TGF-beta receptor type II (TbetaR-II) were chosen as parameters to judge the progress of luteinization. Antral follicles, cultured for 1 h, were not luteinized, as shown by an intact basal lamina, strong immunoreactivity of connexin-43 in granulosa cells, and no expression of TbetaR-II in the theca layer. After 12 h, most follicles showed a dissolution of the basal lamina, a faint reactivity of connexin-43, high expression of TbetaR-II in theca- and outer granulosa cells and high expression of alpha(2) integrin subunit in granulosa cells bordering at the basement membrane; all of which indicate luteinization. After 96 h of culture, luteal structures (e.g. corpora lutea accessoria) had developed. This was true for both non-stimulated and stimulated follicles. Our results strongly suggest that antral follicles luteinize spontaneously. The decisive determinant appears to be the follicular stage.
Wehrenberg
U
U
Department of Cell Biology, E.M.A.-University, Friedrich Loeffler Strasse 23c, D-17487 Greifswald, Germany. wehrenbe@rz.uni-greifswald.de
Rune
G M
GM
D000818:Animals; D015703:Antigens, CD / Q000378:metabolism; D002144:Callithrix; D002478:Cells, Cultured; D005576:Colforsin / Q000494:pharmacology; D003094:Collagen / Q000378:metabolism; D018031:Connexin 43 / Q000378:metabolism; D005260:Female; D007328:Insulin / Q000494:pharmacology; D039421:Integrin alpha2; D008183:Luteal Phase / Q000187:drug effects / Q000502:physiology*; D007986:Luteinizing Hormone / Q000494:pharmacology; D006080:Ovarian Follicle / Q000187:drug effects / Q000502:physiology*; D010053:Ovary / Q000033:anatomy & histology / Q000502:physiology; D017346:Protein Serine-Threonine Kinases; D000077294:Receptor, Transforming Growth Factor-beta Type II; D018125:Receptors, Transforming Growth Factor beta / Q000378:metabolism; D016212:Transforming Growth Factor beta / Q000494:pharmacology
D015703:Antigens, CD; D018031:Connexin 43; D007328:Insulin; D039421:Integrin alpha2; D018125:Receptors, Transforming Growth Factor beta; D016212:Transforming Growth Factor beta; D005576:Colforsin; D007986:Luteinizing Hormone; D003094:Collagen; D017346:Protein Serine-Threonine Kinases; D000077294:Receptor, Transforming Growth Factor-beta Type II