Progesterone and 20alpha-hydroxysteroid-dehydrogenase regulation in the corpus luteum of the pregnant rat. 1979

K Loewit, and N Zambelis

Female Wistar rats were mated and passively immunized against bovine luteinizing hormone (bLH) between days 7-12 of gestation. In a first series of experiments the effect of simultaneous progesterone treatment on the histochemically detectable activity of 20alpha-hydroxysteroiddehydrogenase (20alpha-OHSD) in the corpora lutea of pregnancy was evaluated. In other experiments the exact time course was established between the first histologically demonstrable signs of termination of pregnancy and the appearance of 20alpha-OHSD activity in corpora lutea of pregnancy. It was found that progesterone substitution not only prevented the deleterious effects of the anti-bLH-serum on gestation but also the re-appearance of 20alpha-OHSD activity in the corpora lutea of pregnancy up to day 12 of pregnancy. Moreover in animals injected with anti-bLH-serum from day 7 on and sacrificed on days 8-12, signs of foetal destruction clearly preceded the pathological re-appearance of 20alpha-OHSD activity by 2-3 days. These results support previous findings on a direct or indirct role of progesterone in the complex regulation of 20alpha-OHSD activity. Possible mechanisms of action are discussed.

UI MeSH Term Description Entries
D007106 Immune Sera Serum that contains antibodies. It is obtained from an animal that has been immunized either by ANTIGEN injection or infection with microorganisms containing the antigen. Antisera,Immune Serums,Sera, Immune,Serums, Immune
D007112 Immunity, Maternally-Acquired Resistance to a disease-causing agent induced by the introduction of maternal immunity into the fetus by transplacental transfer or into the neonate through colostrum and milk. Fetal Immunity, Maternally-Acquired,Maternally-Acquired Immunity,Neonatal Immunity, Maternally-Acquired,Immunity, Maternally Acquired,Fetal Immunities, Maternally-Acquired,Fetal Immunity, Maternally Acquired,Immunity, Maternally-Acquired Fetal,Immunity, Maternally-Acquired Neonatal,Maternally Acquired Immunities,Maternally Acquired Immunity,Maternally-Acquired Fetal Immunities,Maternally-Acquired Fetal Immunity,Maternally-Acquired Immunities,Maternally-Acquired Neonatal Immunities,Maternally-Acquired Neonatal Immunity,Neonatal Immunities, Maternally-Acquired,Neonatal Immunity, Maternally Acquired
D007986 Luteinizing Hormone A major gonadotropin secreted by the adenohypophysis (PITUITARY GLAND, ANTERIOR). Luteinizing hormone regulates steroid production by the interstitial cells of the TESTIS and the OVARY. The preovulatory LUTEINIZING HORMONE surge in females induces OVULATION, and subsequent LUTEINIZATION of the follicle. LUTEINIZING HORMONE consists of two noncovalently linked subunits, alpha and beta. Within a species, the alpha subunit is common in the three pituitary glycoprotein hormones (TSH, LH and FSH), but the beta subunit is unique and confers its biological specificity. ICSH (Interstitial Cell Stimulating Hormone),Interstitial Cell-Stimulating Hormone,LH (Luteinizing Hormone),Lutropin,Luteoziman,Luteozyman,Hormone, Interstitial Cell-Stimulating,Hormone, Luteinizing,Interstitial Cell Stimulating Hormone
D011247 Pregnancy The status during which female mammals carry their developing young (EMBRYOS or FETUSES) in utero before birth, beginning from FERTILIZATION to BIRTH. Gestation,Pregnancies
D011270 Pregnancy, Animal The process of bearing developing young (EMBRYOS or FETUSES) in utero in non-human mammals, beginning from FERTILIZATION to BIRTH. Animal Pregnancies,Animal Pregnancy,Pregnancies, Animal
D011374 Progesterone The major progestational steroid that is secreted primarily by the CORPUS LUTEUM and the PLACENTA. Progesterone acts on the UTERUS, the MAMMARY GLANDS and the BRAIN. It is required in EMBRYO IMPLANTATION; PREGNANCY maintenance, and the development of mammary tissue for MILK production. Progesterone, converted from PREGNENOLONE, also serves as an intermediate in the biosynthesis of GONADAL STEROID HORMONES and adrenal CORTICOSTEROIDS. Pregnenedione,Progesterone, (13 alpha,17 alpha)-(+-)-Isomer,Progesterone, (17 alpha)-Isomer,Progesterone, (9 beta,10 alpha)-Isomer
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
D005260 Female Females
D005327 Fetal Resorption The disintegration and assimilation of the dead FETUS in the UTERUS at any stage after the completion of organogenesis which, in humans, is after the 9th week of GESTATION. It does not include embryo resorption (see EMBRYO LOSS). Fetal Resorptions,Resorption, Fetal,Resorptions, Fetal
D006651 Histocytochemistry Study of intracellular distribution of chemicals, reaction sites, enzymes, etc., by means of staining reactions, radioactive isotope uptake, selective metal distribution in electron microscopy, or other methods. Cytochemistry

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