Biomaterial Database

Luteinizing hormone receptor in the human corpus luteum: lack of down-regulation during maternal recognition of pregnancy. 1996

W C Duncan, and A S McNeilly, and H M Fraser, and P J Illingworth

MRC Reproductive Biology Unit, Centre for Reproductive Biology, Edinburgh, UK.

Luteal progesterone production is dependent on luteinizing hormone (LH) from the pituitary gland. Despite continuing LH secretion, the human corpus luteum undergoes functional luteolysis unless it is 'rescued' by human chorionic gonadotrophin (HCG), produced by the implanting blastocyst. As LH and HCG act through a common receptor, this study sought to determine the expression of the LH/ HCG receptor in the corpus luteum during maternal recognition of pregnancy. Corpora lutea were collected at hysterectomy from women in the normal luteal phase and after luteal 'rescue' with exogenous HCG. In each case the corpus luteum was classified according to the date of the LH surge measured in daily urine samples. The expression of the LH receptor was investigated by Northern blotting, in-situ hybridization and in-situ ligand binding. LH receptor mRNA and ligand binding activity were detected in corpora lutea from all stages of the luteal phase. LH receptor expression and binding were maintained during maternal recognition of pregnancy in the presence of exponentially increasing HCG concentrations. These data show that the LH receptor is maintained throughout the functional life-span of the human corpus luteum and is not down-regulated during maternal recognition of pregnancy.

UI	MeSH Term	Description	Entries
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
D008183	Luteal Phase	The period in the MENSTRUAL CYCLE that follows OVULATION, characterized by the development of CORPUS LUTEUM, increase in PROGESTERONE production by the OVARY and secretion by the glandular epithelium of the ENDOMETRIUM. The luteal phase begins with ovulation and ends with the onset of MENSTRUATION.	Menstrual Cycle, Luteal Phase,Menstrual Cycle, Secretory Phase,Menstrual Secretory Phase,Postovulatory Phase,Phase, Luteal,Phase, Postovulatory,Secretory Phase, Menstrual
D008875	Middle Aged	An adult aged 45 - 64 years.	Middle Age
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
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
D011974	Receptors, LH	Those protein complexes or molecular sites on the surfaces and cytoplasm of gonadal cells that bind luteinizing or chorionic gonadotropic hormones and thereby cause the gonadal cells to synthesize and secrete sex steroids. The hormone-receptor complex is internalized from the plasma membrane and initiates steroid synthesis.	Chorionic Gonadotropin Receptors,Human Chorionic Gonadotropin Receptors,ICSH Receptors,LH Receptors,LH-hCG Receptor,LH-hCG Receptors,Luteinizing Hormone Receptors,Lutropin Receptor,Lutropin Receptors,Receptors, Chorionic Gonadotropin,Receptors, Human Chorionic Gonadotropin,Receptors, Interstitial Cell-Stimulating Hormone,Receptors, Luteinizing Hormone,hCG Receptors,Chorionic Gonadotropin Receptor,Human Chorionic Gonadotropin Receptor,LH Receptor,Luteinizing Hormone Receptor,Receptors, ICSH,Receptors, Interstitial Cell Stimulating Hormone,Receptors, LH-hCG,Receptors, Lutropin,Receptors, hCG,hCG Receptor,Gonadotropin Receptor, Chorionic,Gonadotropin Receptors, Chorionic,Hormone Receptor, Luteinizing,Hormone Receptors, Luteinizing,LH hCG Receptor,LH hCG Receptors,Receptor, Chorionic Gonadotropin,Receptor, LH,Receptor, LH-hCG,Receptor, Luteinizing Hormone,Receptor, Lutropin,Receptor, hCG,Receptors, LH hCG
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
D006801	Humans	Members of the species Homo sapiens.	Homo sapiens,Man (Taxonomy),Human,Man, Modern,Modern Man
D000328	Adult	A person having attained full growth or maturity. Adults are of 19 through 44 years of age. For a person between 19 and 24 years of age, YOUNG ADULT is available.	Adults