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Fertility and Sterility Jun 2021
Topics: Corpus Luteum; Female; Humans; Progesterone
PubMed: 34053514
DOI: 10.1016/j.fertnstert.2021.04.015 -
Human Reproduction Update Jun 2021Despite significant advances in our understanding of the pathophysiology of preeclampsia (PE), there are still many unknowns and controversies in the field. Women... (Review)
Review
BACKGROUND
Despite significant advances in our understanding of the pathophysiology of preeclampsia (PE), there are still many unknowns and controversies in the field. Women undergoing frozen-thawed embryo transfer (FET) to a hormonally prepared endometrium have been found to have an unexpected increased risk of PE compared to women who receive embryos in a natural FET cycle. The differences in risk have been hypothesized to be related to the absence or presence of a functioning corpus luteum (CL).
OBJECTIVE AND RATIONALE
To evaluate the literature on secretory products of the CL that could be essential for a healthy pregnancy and could reduce the risk of PE in the setting of FET.
SEARCH METHODS
For this review, pertinent studies were searched in PubMed/Medline (updated June 2020) using common keywords applied in the field of assisted reproductive technologies, CL physiology and preeclampsia. We also screened the complete list of references in recent publications in English (both animal and human studies) on the topics investigated. Given the design of this work as a narrative review, no formal criteria for study selection or appraisal were utilized.
OUTCOMES
The CL is a major source of multiple factors regulating reproduction. Progesterone, estradiol, relaxin and vasoactive and angiogenic substances produced by the CL have important roles in regulating its functional lifespan and are also secreted into the circulation to act remotely during early stages of pregnancy. Beyond the known actions of progesterone and estradiol on the uterus in early pregnancy, their metabolites have angiogenic properties that may optimize implantation and placentation. Serum levels of relaxin are almost undetectable in pregnant women without a CL, which precludes some maternal cardiovascular and renal adaptations to early pregnancy. We suggest that an imbalance in steroid hormones and their metabolites and polypeptides influencing early physiologic processes such as decidualization, implantation, angiogenesis and maternal haemodynamics could contribute to the increased PE risk among women undergoing programmed FET cycles.
WIDER IMPLICATIONS
A better understanding of the critical roles of the secretory products of the CL during early pregnancy holds the promise of improving the efficacy and safety of ART based on programmed FET cycles.
Topics: Animals; Corpus Luteum; Embryo Transfer; Female; Humans; Pre-Eclampsia; Pregnancy; Progesterone; Reproductive Techniques, Assisted
PubMed: 33748839
DOI: 10.1093/humupd/dmab003 -
Frontiers in Endocrinology 2020
Topics: Animals; Cell Differentiation; Corpus Luteum; Corpus Luteum Maintenance; Female; Humans; Pregnancy
PubMed: 32390947
DOI: 10.3389/fendo.2020.00244 -
Cells Mar 2022The corpus luteum is a small gland of great importance because its proper functioning determines not only the appropriate course of the estrous/menstrual cycle and... (Review)
Review
The corpus luteum is a small gland of great importance because its proper functioning determines not only the appropriate course of the estrous/menstrual cycle and embryo implantation, but also the subsequent maintenance of pregnancy. Among the well-known regulators of luteal tissue functions, increasing attention is focused on the role of neuropeptides and adipose tissue hormones-adipokines. Growing evidence points to the expression of these factors in the corpus luteum of women and different animal species, and their involvement in corpus luteum formation, endocrine function, angiogenesis, cells proliferation, apoptosis, and finally, regression. In the present review, we summarize the current knowledge about the expression and role of adipokines, such as adiponectin, leptin, apelin, vaspin, visfatin, chemerin, and neuropeptides like ghrelin, orexins, kisspeptin, and phoenixin in the physiological regulation of the corpus luteum function, as well as their potential involvement in pathologies affecting the luteal cells that disrupt the estrous cycle.
Topics: Adipokines; Animals; Corpus Luteum; Female; Humans; Luteal Cells; Luteolysis; Neuropeptides; Pregnancy
PubMed: 35326408
DOI: 10.3390/cells11060957 -
Reproductive Biology Dec 2013The primate corpus luteum is a transient endocrine gland that differentiates from the ovulatory follicle midway through the ovarian (menstrual) cycle. Its formation and... (Review)
Review
The primate corpus luteum is a transient endocrine gland that differentiates from the ovulatory follicle midway through the ovarian (menstrual) cycle. Its formation and limited lifespan is critical for fertility, as luteal-derived progesterone is the essential steroid hormone required for embryo implantation and maintenance of intra-uterine pregnancy until the placenta develops. It is well-established that LH and the LH-like hormone, CG, are the vital luteotropic hormones during the menstrual cycle and early pregnancy, respectively. Recent advances, particularly through genome analyses and cellular studies, increased our understanding of various local factors and cellular processes associated with the development, maintenance and repression of the corpus luteum. These include paracrine or autocrine factors associated with angiogenesis (e.g., VEGF), and that mediate LH/CG actions (e.g., progesterone), or counteract luteotropic effects (i.e., local luteolysis; e.g., PGF2α). However, areas of mystery and controversy remain, particularly regarding the signals and events that initiate luteal regression in the non-fecund cycle. Novel approaches capable of gene "knockdown" or amplification", in vivo as well as in vitro, should identify novel or underappreciated gene products that are regulated by or modulate LH/CG actions to control the functional lifespan of the primate corpus luteum. Further advances in our understanding of luteal physiology will help to improve or control fertility for purposes ranging from preservation of endangered primate species to designing novel ovary-based contraceptives and treating ovarian disorders in women.
Topics: Animals; Chorionic Gonadotropin; Corpus Luteum; Female; Fertility; Humans; Kisspeptins; Luteinizing Hormone; Luteolysis; Neovascularization, Physiologic; Pregnancy; Primates; Progesterone
PubMed: 24287034
DOI: 10.1016/j.repbio.2013.08.002 -
Frontiers in Bioscience (Scholar... Jan 2011Folliculogenesis is a complex process involving dramatic morphological and functional changes in granulosa and theca cells. This process is sequential and dictated... (Review)
Review
Folliculogenesis is a complex process involving dramatic morphological and functional changes in granulosa and theca cells. This process is sequential and dictated specifically by tightly regulated response to endocrine hormones and intra-ovarian regulators. In mammalian ovaries, only a few number of presented follicles in a fetal ovary can reach ovulatory status during follicular development; more than 99% of the follicles in the ovary undergo a degenerative process known as "atresia" induced by apotosis. It is characterized by distinct biochemical and morphological changes such as DNA fragmentation, plasma membrane blebbing and cell volume shrinkage. Apoptosis in ovary is regulated by a number of endocrine, locally produced intracellular mediators in a stage-specific and time-dependent manner. New knowledge of hormones and cell factors which regulate granulosa cell or oocyte apoptosis and their possible signaling pathways underlying intracellular events has made important contributions in advancing our understanding mechanism of follicular atresia.
Topics: Apoptosis; Corpus Luteum; Female; Follicular Atresia; Humans; Ovarian Follicle; Ovary; Signal Transduction
PubMed: 21196405
DOI: 10.2741/s180 -
International Journal of Molecular... Sep 2021The corpus luteum is an endocrine gland that synthesizes the steroid hormone progesterone. luteinizing hormone (LH) is a key luteotropic hormone that stimulates... (Review)
Review
The corpus luteum is an endocrine gland that synthesizes the steroid hormone progesterone. luteinizing hormone (LH) is a key luteotropic hormone that stimulates ovulation, luteal development, progesterone biosynthesis, and maintenance of the corpus luteum. Luteotropic and luteolytic factors precisely regulate luteal structure and function; yet, despite recent scientific progress within the past few years, the exact mechanisms remain largely unknown. In the present review, we summarize the recent progress towards understanding cellular changes induced by LH in steroidogenic luteal cells. Herein, we will focus on the effects of LH on inter-organelle communication and steroid biosynthesis, and how LH regulates key protein kinases (i.e., AMPK and MTOR) responsible for controlling steroidogenesis and autophagy in luteal cells.
Topics: Animals; Autophagy; Corpus Luteum; Female; Humans; Luteal Cells; Luteinizing Hormone; Organelles; Signal Transduction
PubMed: 34576135
DOI: 10.3390/ijms22189972 -
Molecular Human Reproduction Jul 2023The corpus luteum is the major source of progesterone, the essential hormone for female reproductive function. While progesterone activity has been the subject of... (Review)
Review
The corpus luteum is the major source of progesterone, the essential hormone for female reproductive function. While progesterone activity has been the subject of extensive research for decades, characterization of non-canonical progesterone receptor/signaling pathways provided a new perspective for understanding the complex signal transduction mechanisms exploited by the progesterone hormone. Deciphering these mechanisms has significant implications in the management of luteal phase disorders and early pregnancy complications. The purpose of this review is to highlight the complex mechanisms through which progesterone-induced signaling mediates luteal granulosa cell activity in the corpus luteum. Here, we review the literature and discuss the up-to-date evidence on how paracrine and autocrine effects of progesterone regulate luteal steroidogenic activity. We also review the limitations of the published data and highlight future research priorities.
Topics: Female; Humans; Pregnancy; Corpus Luteum; Granulosa Cells; Hormones; Progesterone; Signal Transduction
PubMed: 37289566
DOI: 10.1093/molehr/gaad022 -
Fertility and Sterility Apr 2018
Topics: Adrenal Cortex; Androgens; Corpus Luteum; Dehydroepiandrosterone; Endometrium; Female; Humans
PubMed: 29653715
DOI: 10.1016/j.fertnstert.2018.01.027 -
Journal of Animal Science Jul 2022The corpus luteum (CL) forms following ovulation from the remnant of the Graafian follicle. This transient tissue produces critical hormones to maintain pregnancy,... (Review)
Review
The corpus luteum (CL) forms following ovulation from the remnant of the Graafian follicle. This transient tissue produces critical hormones to maintain pregnancy, including the steroid progesterone. In cattle and other ruminants, the presence of an embryo determines if the lifespan of the CL will be prolonged to ensure successful implantation and gestation, or if the tissue will undergo destruction in the process known as luteolysis. Infertility and subfertility in dairy and beef cattle results in substantial economic loss to producers each year. In addition, this has the potential to exacerbate climate change because more animals are needed to produce high-quality protein to feed the growing world population. Successful pregnancies require coordinated regulation of uterine and ovarian function by the developing embryo. These processes are often collectively termed "maternal recognition of pregnancy." Research into the formation, function, and destruction of the bovine CL by the Northeast Multistate Project, one of the oldest continuously funded Hatch projects by the USDA, has produced a large body of evidence increasing our knowledge of the contribution of ovarian processes to fertility in ruminants. This review presents some of the seminal research into the regulation of the ruminant CL, as well as identifying mechanisms that remain to be completely validated in the bovine CL. This review also contains a broad discussion of the roles of prostaglandins, immune cells, as well as mechanisms contributing to steroidogenesis in the ruminant CL. A triadic model of luteolysis is discussed wherein the interactions among immune cells, endothelial cells, and luteal cells dictate the ability of the ruminant CL to respond to a luteolytic stimulus, along with other novel hypotheses for future research.
Topics: Animals; Cattle; Corpus Luteum; Endothelial Cells; Female; Luteolysis; Pregnancy; Progesterone; Ruminants
PubMed: 35772753
DOI: 10.1093/jas/skac143