Human peripheral blood polymorphonuclear leukocytes at the ovulatory period are in an activated state.
The ovulatory process has been compared with inflammation. We investigated the state of female peripheral polymorphonuclear leukocytes (PMN) during menstrual cycles, and found that PMN contained high levels of superoxide, hydrogen peroxide and nitric oxide (NO) during at the peri-ovulatory period. Assuming the cause of this elevation to be a luteinizing hormone (LH), the surge of which preceded the ovulation, we examined the responsiveness of PMN to pituitary LH. The results revealed that this hormone elevated dose-dependently the production of reactive oxygen intermediates (ROI). Furthermore, we demonstrated the mRNA expression of LH receptors and their presence on PMN. The data indicated that the LH surge before on the ovulatory day resulted in general activation of PMN, suggesting that this state of PMN may be a necessary step for initiation of ovulation, rather than a defensive role against infection.
Shirai
F
F
Department of Microbiology and Infectious Diseases, Osaka University Medical School, 1-7 Yamada-oka, Suita, Osaka 565-0871, Japan.
Kawaguchi
M
M
Yutsudo
M
M
Dohi
Y
Y
D000328:Adult; D001773:Blood Cells; D004305:Dose-Response Relationship, Drug; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D006861:Hydrogen Peroxide / Q000032:analysis; D007986:Luteinizing Hormone / Q000494:pharmacology / Q000502:physiology*; D008597:Menstrual Cycle / Q000097:blood; D018375:Neutrophil Activation / Q000187:drug effects / Q000502:physiology*; D009504:Neutrophils / Q000187:drug effects / Q000378:metabolism* / Q000502:physiology; D009569:Nitric Oxide / Q000032:analysis; D010060:Ovulation / Q000097:blood*; D013481:Superoxides / Q000032:analysis
D013481:Superoxides; D009569:Nitric Oxide; D007986:Luteinizing Hormone; D006861:Hydrogen Peroxide