title: The human corpus luteum: life cycle and function in natural cycles.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To summarize recent advances in the understanding of the endocrine signaling pathways between the hypothalamus, pituitary, and human corpus luteum (CL); to examine the major paracrine and autocrine mechanisms and the key genes and proteins involved in CL development, function, and regression in natural cycles; to review the endocrine and molecular response of the midluteal phase CL to in vivo administration of human chorionic gonadotropin (hCG); and to describe the ultrasonographic and Doppler evaluation of the ovary and endometrium throughout the luteal phase.
  
  
  METHODS
  Published data in the literature, including the basic and clinical research studies of the authors.
  
  
  METHODS
  University-affiliated hospital and research centers.
  
  
  METHODS
  None.
  
  
  METHODS
  None.
  
  
  METHODS
  Clinical and molecular analysis of human CL function.
  
  
  RESULTS
  The endocrine function of the subpopulations of luteal cells is critical for the maintenance of CL function, including neovacularization and steroid hormones production. We consider the key genes and proteins that favor development of luteal structure and function throughout the menstrual cycle and in our model of hCG treatment resembling early pregnancy.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  These data indicate that the functional lifespan of the CL depends on paracrine and autocrine mechanisms. Therefore, the significance of the key genes and proteins that we analyze in lutein cells during CL development, function, demise, and rescue by hCG is likely to bring new therapeutic applications for the management of fertility defects and the control of fertility.
authors.affiliation: Instituto de Investigaciones Materno Infantil, Departamento de Obstetricia y Ginecología, Hospital Clínico San Borja-Arriarán, Facultad de Medicina, Universidad de Chile, Santiago, Chile. Electronic address: ldevoto@med.uchile.cl.
authors.forename: Luigi
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Devoto
authors.affiliation: Instituto de Investigaciones Materno Infantil, Departamento de Obstetricia y Ginecología, Hospital Clínico San Borja-Arriarán, Facultad de Medicina, Universidad de Chile, Santiago, Chile.
authors.forename: Ariel
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Fuentes
authors.affiliation: Instituto de Investigaciones Materno Infantil, Departamento de Obstetricia y Ginecología, Hospital Clínico San Borja-Arriarán, Facultad de Medicina, Universidad de Chile, Santiago, Chile.
authors.forename: Paulina
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Kohen
authors.affiliation: Instituto de Investigaciones Materno Infantil, Departamento de Obstetricia y Ginecología, Hospital Clínico San Borja-Arriarán, Facultad de Medicina, Universidad de Chile, Santiago, Chile.
authors.forename: Pablo
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Céspedes
authors.affiliation: Instituto de Investigaciones Materno Infantil, Departamento de Obstetricia y Ginecología, Hospital Clínico San Borja-Arriarán, Facultad de Medicina, Universidad de Chile, Santiago, Chile.
authors.forename: Alberto
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Palomino
authors.affiliation: Instituto de Investigaciones Materno Infantil, Departamento de Obstetricia y Ginecología, Hospital Clínico San Borja-Arriarán, Facultad de Medicina, Universidad de Chile, Santiago, Chile.
authors.forename: Ricardo
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Pommer
authors.affiliation: Instituto de Investigaciones Materno Infantil, Departamento de Obstetricia y Ginecología, Hospital Clínico San Borja-Arriarán, Facultad de Medicina, Universidad de Chile, Santiago, Chile.
authors.forename: Alex
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Muñoz
authors.affiliation: Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Virginia Commonwealth University School of Medicine, Richmond, Virginia.
authors.forename: Jerome F
authors.initials: JF
authors.lastname: Strauss
mesh_terms: D003338:Corpus Luteum / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000502:physiology*; D005260:Female; D005298:Fertility / Q000502:physiology; D006801:Humans; D008183:Luteal Phase / Q000502:physiology*; D034461:Luteinization / Q000502:physiology; D003341:Luteolysis / Q000502:physiology; D008597:Menstrual Cycle / Q000502:physiology*; D010053:Ovary / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000502:physiology; D014463:Ultrasonography