Features of natural and gonadotropin-releasing hormone antagonist-induced corpus luteum regression and effects of in vivo human chorionic gonadotropin.
BACKGROUND
The natural process of luteolysis and luteal regression is induced by withdrawal of gonadotropin support.


OBJECTIVE
The objectives of this study were: 1) to compare the functional changes and apoptotic features of natural human luteal regression and induced luteal regression; 2) to define the ultrastructural characteristics of the corpus luteum at the time of natural luteal regression and induced luteal regression; and 3) to examine the effect of human chorionic gonadotropin (hCG) on the steroidogenic response and apoptotic markers within the regressing corpus luteum.


METHODS
Twenty-three women with normal menstrual cycles undergoing tubal ligation donated corpus luteum at specific stages in the luteal phase. Some women received a GnRH antagonist prior to collection of corpus luteum, others received an injection of hCG with or without prior treatment with a GnRH antagonist.


METHODS
Main outcome measures were plasma hormone levels and analysis of excised luteal tissue for markers of apoptosis, histology, and ultrastructure.


RESULTS
The progesterone and estradiol levels, corpus luteum DNA, and protein contents in induced luteal regression resembled those of natural luteal regression. hCG treatment raised progesterone and estradiol in both natural luteal regression and induced luteal regression. The increase in apoptosis detected in induced luteal regression by cytochrome c in the cytosol, activated caspase-3, and nuclear DNA fragmentation, was similar to that observed in natural luteal regression. The antiapoptotic protein Bcl-2 was significantly lower during natural luteal regression. The proapoptotic proteins Bax and Bak were at a constant level. Apoptotic and nonapoptotic death of luteal cells was observed in natural luteal regression and induced luteal regression at the ultrastructural level. hCG prevented apoptotic cell death, but not autophagy.


CONCLUSIONS
The low number of apoptotic cells disclosed and the frequent autophagocytic suggest that multiple mechanisms are involved in cell death at luteal regression. hCG restores steroidogenic function and restrains the apoptotic process, but not autophagy.
Del Canto
Felipe
F
Instituto de Investigaciones Materno Infantil, Facultad de Medicina, Hospital Clínico San Borja-Arriarán, Universidad de Chile, Santiago 3, Chile.
Sierralta
Walter
W
Kohen
Paulina
P
Muñoz
Alex
A
Strauss
Jerome F
JF
Devoto
Luigi
L
D000328:Adult; D017209:Apoptosis / Q000187:drug effects; D001343:Autophagy / Q000187:drug effects; D053148:Caspase 3 / Q000378:metabolism; D002478:Cells, Cultured; D006063:Chorionic Gonadotropin / Q000494:pharmacology*; D003338:Corpus Luteum / Q000187:drug effects / Q000648:ultrastructure; D045304:Cytochromes c / Q000096:biosynthesis / Q000378:metabolism; D004247:DNA / Q000096:biosynthesis / Q000235:genetics; D005260:Female; D005455:Fluorescent Antibody Technique; D007987:Gonadotropin-Releasing Hormone / Q000037:antagonists & inhibitors* / Q000097:blood*; D006801:Humans; D020287:In Situ Nick-End Labeling; D003341:Luteolysis / Q000187:drug effects*; D019253:Proto-Oncogene Proteins c-bcl-2 / Q000096:biosynthesis / Q000235:genetics; D051028:bcl-2-Associated X Protein / Q000096:biosynthesis / Q000235:genetics
D006063:Chorionic Gonadotropin; D019253:Proto-Oncogene Proteins c-bcl-2; D051028:bcl-2-Associated X Protein; D007987:Gonadotropin-Releasing Hormone; D045304:Cytochromes c; D004247:DNA; D053148:Caspase 3