Baboon corpus luteum: Size and sex steroid secretion throughout the luteal phase

Author Department

Ob/Gyn

Document Type

Article, Peer-reviewed

Publication Date

5-1-2008

Abstract

OBJECTIVE: To determine the size of the baboon corpus luteum (CL) and levels of plasma P, 17alpha-hydroxyprogesterone (17-OHP), and E2 in the ovarian vein draining it, the contralateral ovarian vein, and peripheral blood throughout the luteal phase of the menstrual cycle. DESIGN: Prospective study. SETTING: Academic department of obstetrics and gynecology in a US medical school. ANIMAL(S): Corpora lutea from a cohort of 27 adult cycling baboons (Papio anubis). INTERVENTION(S): Timed luteectomy. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURE(S): The authors weighed 166 CL and measured plasma P, 17-OHP, and E(2) in the blood samples obtained at luteectomy. RESULT(S): Early luteal phase corpora lutea weighed 189.1 12.3 mg (mean SEM); their weight significantly increased to 239.4 8.4 mg at mid luteal phase and significantly declined to 188.3 14.0 mg in late luteal phase. Plasma P draining the CL (134.4 20.5 ng/mL in early, 167.4 18.7 ng/mL in mid, and 126.4 23.4 ng/mL in late luteal phase) was significantly higher than that in contralateral ovarian (11.0 1.4 ng/mL) and peripheral plasma (7.1 0.9 ng/mL). Similarly, levels of both plasma 17-OHP (10.9 1.5 to 15.9 2.4 ng/mL) and E2 (1.6 0.2 to 2.6 0.6 ng/mL) draining the CL were significantly higher than those from the contralateral ovary and peripheral blood (17-OHP, 1.1 0.2 ng/mL; E2, 0.2 0.05 ng/mL). CONCLUSION(S): Largest in mid luteal phase, the baboon CL secretes P, 17-OHP, and E2 throughout the luteal phase, with the highest levels seen in the ovarian vein draining the CL in the mid compared with the early and late luteal phases.

Publication ISSN

0884-8734

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