title: Immunohistochemical localization of steroidogenic enzymes in corpus luteum of wild sika deer during early mating season.
abstract: We analyzed the localization of steroidogenic enzymes (P450 scc, 3 beta HSD, P450 arom and P450 c17) in the corpora lutea of two Hokkaido sika deer (Cervus nippon yesoensis) during the early mating season. Two corpora lutea were found in each female and the timing of formation of the corpora lutea seemed different. P450 scc, and 3 beta HSD, positive luteal cells were found in both corpora lutea. The existence of two functional corpora lutea from the early mating season through pregnancy suggests that progesterone secreted by two or more corpora lutea is necessary for maintenance of pregnancy in sika deer.
authors.affiliation: Laboratory of Wildlife Biology, Department of Environmental Veterinary Science, Graduate School of Veterinary Medicine, Hokkaido University, Sapporo 060-0818, Japan. koyum@seagreen.ocn.ne.jp
authors.forename: Yukiko
authors.initials: Y
authors.lastname: Matsuura
authors.forename: Masatsugu
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Suzuki
authors.forename: Daisuke
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Hayakawa
authors.forename: Makoto
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Asano
authors.forename: Motoki
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Sasaki
authors.forename: Nobuo
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Kitamura
authors.forename: Junzo
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Yamada
authors.forename: Toshio
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Tsubota
authors.forename: Noriyuki
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Ohtaishi
mesh_terms: D015096:3-Hydroxysteroid Dehydrogenases / Q000378:metabolism; D000818:Animals; D001141:Aromatase / Q000378:metabolism; D002786:Cholesterol Side-Chain Cleavage Enzyme / Q000378:metabolism; D003338:Corpus Luteum / Q000201:enzymology* / Q000502:physiology; D003670:Deer / Q000502:physiology*; D005260:Female; D007150:Immunohistochemistry / Q000662:veterinary; D012621:Seasons; D013254:Steroid 17-alpha-Hydroxylase / Q000378:metabolism
chemical_list: D015096:3-Hydroxysteroid Dehydrogenases; D001141:Aromatase; D013254:Steroid 17-alpha-Hydroxylase; D002786:Cholesterol Side-Chain Cleavage Enzyme