Ultrastructural changes of goat corpus luteum during the estrous cycle.
The present study was designed to study the ultrastructure of goat corpora lutea (CL, n=10) and structural changes as related to steroidogenic functions during the estrous cycle. The reproduction status of goats was estimated by analyzing serum progesterone concentrations. The CL at various stages was surgically collected. To characterize ultrastructural features associated with steroidogenesis, tissue and cellular structures were studied. Blood supplies were examined based on features of the endothelial cells and capillary structures in the CL. Activated endothelial cells and developing vessels were observed in the early stage, whereas mature endothelial cells, accumulating extracellular matrix fibers, and stabilized vessels were observed in the middle and late stages of assessment. In the late stage of assessment, shrunken goat luteal cells scattered around the capillaries were detected and formed circular regression areas. Features of autophagy and luteal cell apoptosis were noted. In large luteal cells, steroidogenic organelles were present, including microvillar channels, endoplasmic reticulum, and mitochondria. Conformational changes in the endoplasmic reticulum and increased mitochondria with tubular cristae were observed in the early-middle CL transitions. In contrast, mitochondria swelled and the cristae transformed to the lamellar type in the late stage, suggesting that organelle plasticity could contribute to steroidogenesis in goat CL. In conclusion, results suggest angiogenesis occurs in early developing CL and programmed cell death occurred in the late stage of CL assessment in the present study. Structures and quantiles of steroidogenic organelles are correlated with the steroidogenic functions in goats.
Department of Animal Science and Technology, College of Bio-Resources and Agriculture, National Taiwan University, No. 50, Lane 155, Sec. 3, Keelung Rd., Taipei 10617, Taiwan, ROC.
Yi-Fan
YF
Jiang
Department of Animal Science and Technology, College of Bio-Resources and Agriculture, National Taiwan University, No. 50, Lane 155, Sec. 3, Keelung Rd., Taipei 10617, Taiwan, ROC.
Meng-Chieh
MC
Hsu
Graduate Institute of Veterinary Medicine, National Taiwan University, No. 1, Sec. 4, Rooservelt Rd., Taipei 10617, Taiwan, ROC.
Chiung-Hsiang
CH
Cheng
Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Kaohsiung Veterans General Hospital, No. 386, Ta-Chung 1st Rd., Kaohsiung 81346, Taiwan, ROC.
Kuan-Hao
KH
Tsui
Department of Animal Science and Technology, College of Bio-Resources and Agriculture, National Taiwan University, No. 50, Lane 155, Sec. 3, Keelung Rd., Taipei 10617, Taiwan, ROC. Electronic address: chiuchihhsien@ntu.edu.tw.
Chih-Hsien
CH
Chiu
D000818:Animals; D003338:Corpus Luteum / Q000502:physiology / Q000648:ultrastructure*; D030762:Estrous Cycle / Q000502:physiology*; D005260:Female; D006041:Goats / Q000502:physiology*
Angiogenesis; Electron microscopy; Endoplasmic reticulum; Goat; Mitochondria; Steroidogenesis