Biomaterial Database

Structure of the corpus luteum in the ovulatory polycystic ovary. 2002

S F Lunn, and H M Fraser, and H D Mason

Medical Research Council, Human Reproductive Sciences Unit, Centre for Reproductive Biology, 37 Chalmers Street, Edinburgh EH3 9ET, UK.

BACKGROUND Women with polycystic ovaries (PCO) have a wide spectrum of presentation from anovulation and amenorrhoea to apparently regular, ovulatory menstrual cycles. We have recently reported a subtle defect in steroidogenic function in the luteal phase in the latter and an increase in the number of degenerating corpora lutea (CL) were observed in ovulatory PCO (ovPCO) during dissection. The possibility was therefore investigated of differences in structure or degeneration in CL formed during ovulatory cycles in women with PCO. METHODS This study compared the histology of the CL in ovPCO with that in the normal ovary. Corpora lutea were collected from nine normal ovaries (days 1-27 of the cycle) and from 13 women with ovPCO (days 5-38). RESULTS Variations in the degree of regression, both in relation to onset of menses and between different areas within individual CL, were recorded in both groups. During development and regression no obvious differences were observed between either group apart from an apparent increase in luteal haemorrhage, which was more common and more extensive in CL from PCO. CONCLUSIONS The findings suggest that possible luteal phase abnormalities of steroid secretion in women with ovulatory PCO are not associated with obvious morphological defects in the CL, however it is possible that the persistence of luteal structures seen in PCO was a consequence of increased luteal haemorrhage.

UI	MeSH Term	Description	Entries
D008184	Luteal Cells	PROGESTERONE-producing cells in the CORPUS LUTEUM. The large luteal cells derive from the GRANULOSA CELLS. The small luteal cells derive from the THECA CELLS.	Lutein Cells,Granulosa-Luteal Cells,Granulosa-Lutein Cells,Large Luteal Cells,Small Luteal Cells,Theca-Luteal cells,Theca-Lutein Cells,Cell, Granulosa-Luteal,Cell, Granulosa-Lutein,Cell, Large Luteal,Cell, Luteal,Cell, Lutein,Cell, Small Luteal,Cell, Theca-Lutein,Cells, Granulosa-Luteal,Cells, Granulosa-Lutein,Cells, Large Luteal,Cells, Luteal,Cells, Lutein,Cells, Small Luteal,Cells, Theca-Lutein,Granulosa Luteal Cells,Granulosa Lutein Cells,Granulosa-Luteal Cell,Granulosa-Lutein Cell,Large Luteal Cell,Luteal Cell,Luteal Cell, Large,Luteal Cell, Small,Luteal Cells, Large,Luteal Cells, Small,Lutein Cell,Small Luteal Cell,Theca Luteal cells,Theca Lutein Cells,Theca-Luteal cell,Theca-Lutein Cell,cell, Theca-Luteal,cells, Theca-Luteal
D008597	Menstrual Cycle	The period from onset of one menstrual bleeding (MENSTRUATION) to the next in an ovulating woman or female primate. The menstrual cycle is regulated by endocrine interactions of the HYPOTHALAMUS; the PITUITARY GLAND; the ovaries; and the genital tract. The menstrual cycle is divided by OVULATION into two phases. Based on the endocrine status of the OVARY, there is a FOLLICULAR PHASE and a LUTEAL PHASE. Based on the response in the ENDOMETRIUM, the menstrual cycle is divided into a proliferative and a secretory phase.	Endometrial Cycle,Ovarian Cycle,Cycle, Endometrial,Cycle, Menstrual,Cycle, Ovarian,Cycles, Endometrial,Cycles, Menstrual,Cycles, Ovarian,Endometrial Cycles,Menstrual Cycles,Ovarian Cycles
D010060	Ovulation	The discharge of an OVUM from a rupturing follicle in the OVARY.	Ovulations
D011085	Polycystic Ovary Syndrome	A complex disorder characterized by infertility, HIRSUTISM; OBESITY; and various menstrual disturbances such as OLIGOMENORRHEA; AMENORRHEA; ANOVULATION. Polycystic ovary syndrome is usually associated with bilateral enlarged ovaries studded with atretic follicles, not with cysts. The term, polycystic ovary, is misleading.	Stein-Leventhal Syndrome,Polycystic Ovarian Syndrome,Polycystic Ovary Syndrome 1,Sclerocystic Ovarian Degeneration,Sclerocystic Ovaries,Sclerocystic Ovary Syndrome,Ovarian Degeneration, Sclerocystic,Ovarian Syndrome, Polycystic,Ovary Syndrome, Polycystic,Ovary, Sclerocystic,Sclerocystic Ovary,Stein Leventhal Syndrome,Syndrome, Polycystic Ovary,Syndrome, Stein-Leventhal
D003338	Corpus Luteum	The yellow body derived from the ruptured OVARIAN FOLLICLE after OVULATION. The process of corpus luteum formation, LUTEINIZATION, is regulated by LUTEINIZING HORMONE.	Corpora Lutea,Lutea, Corpora
D003341	Luteolysis	Degradation of CORPUS LUTEUM. In the absence of pregnancy and diminishing trophic hormones, the corpus luteum undergoes luteolysis which is characterized by the involution and cessation of its endocrine function.	Corpus Luteum Regression,Luteal Regression,Regression, Corpus Luteum,Regression, Luteal
D005260	Female		Females
D006107	Granulosa Cells	Supporting cells for the developing female gamete in the OVARY. They are derived from the coelomic epithelial cells of the gonadal ridge. Granulosa cells form a single layer around the OOCYTE in the primordial ovarian follicle and advance to form a multilayered cumulus oophorus surrounding the OVUM in the Graafian follicle. The major functions of granulosa cells include the production of steroids and LH receptors (RECEPTORS, LH).	Cell, Granulosa,Cells, Granulosa,Granulosa Cell
D006801	Humans	Members of the species Homo sapiens.	Homo sapiens,Man (Taxonomy),Human,Man, Modern,Modern Man
D013799	Theca Cells	The flattened stroma cells forming a sheath or theca outside the basal lamina lining the mature OVARIAN FOLLICLE. Thecal interstitial or stromal cells are steroidogenic, and produce primarily ANDROGENS which serve as precusors of ESTROGENS in the GRANULOSA CELLS.	Ovarian Interstitial Cells,Theca Externa,Theca Interna,Cell, Ovarian Interstitial,Cell, Theca,Cells, Ovarian Interstitial,Cells, Theca,Externa, Theca,Interna, Theca,Interstitial Cell, Ovarian,Interstitial Cells, Ovarian,Ovarian Interstitial Cell,Theca Cell