title: Human cervix contains functional luteinizing hormone/human chorionic gonadotropin receptors.
abstract: The upper genital tract of women contains functional LH/human chorionic gonadotropin (hCG) receptors. Whether the cervix, an anatomical continuum of the uterus and fallopian tubes, also contains these receptors has never been investigated. Multiple receptor detection techniques revealed their presence with higher levels in endocervix than in ectocervix. The receptor positive cells include stratified squamous luminal epithelium of the ectocervix, columnar epithelium, glands, blood vessels, and smooth muscle in the endocervix. Treatment of cervical tissue minces with hCG resulted in a significant increase in cAMP levels and a decrease in cyclooxygenase-2 protein levels in endocervix, but not in ectocervix. In summary, human cervix contains functional LH/hCG receptors, which suggests that LH during the menstrual cycle and hCG during pregnancy may regulate cervical functions.
authors.affiliation: Division of Research, Department of Obstetrics, Gynecology, and Women's Health, University of Louisville Health Sciences Center, Louisville, Kentucky 40292, USA.
authors.forename: P C
authors.initials: PC
authors.lastname: Lin
authors.forename: X
authors.initials: X
authors.lastname: Li
authors.forename: Z M
authors.initials: ZM
authors.lastname: Lei
authors.forename: Ch V
authors.initials: ChV
authors.lastname: Rao
mesh_terms: D002584:Cervix Uteri / Q000737:chemistry* / Q000201:enzymology; D000242:Cyclic AMP / Q000378:metabolism; D051546:Cyclooxygenase 2; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007150:Immunohistochemistry; D017403:In Situ Hybridization; D007527:Isoenzymes / Q000378:metabolism; D008565:Membrane Proteins; D011451:Prostaglandin-Endoperoxide Synthases / Q000378:metabolism; D012333:RNA, Messenger / Q000032:analysis; D011974:Receptors, LH / Q000032:analysis* / Q000235:genetics
chemical_list: D007527:Isoenzymes; D008565:Membrane Proteins; D012333:RNA, Messenger; D011974:Receptors, LH; D000242:Cyclic AMP; D051546:Cyclooxygenase 2; C496540:PTGS2 protein, human; D011451:Prostaglandin-Endoperoxide Synthases