Immunocytochemical localization of relaxin in human corpora lutea: cellular and subcellular distribution and dependence on reproductive state

Relaxin is one of the hormones present during pregnancy and it is synthesized primarily by corpora lutea (CL). Other reproductive tissues including CL of the menstrual cycle may also synthesize this hormone. Very little is known, however, about the cellular and subcellular distribution of relaxin in human CL and dependence of luteal relaxin on the reproductive state. The light and electron microscope immunocytochemical studies described here were undertaken to obtain this information using antisera to porcine and human relaxin. Immunostaining was found in large luteal cells (17-30 microns) but not in small luteal cells (7-16 microns) or in nonluteal cells in any of the reproductive states or in human hepatocytes. Luteal immunostaining was low in early luteal phase; it increased progressively, reaching the highest level in late luteal phase, and then decreased greatly in corpora albicantia. Term pregnancy CL contained similar immunostaining as early luteal phase CL. Mid luteal phase CL contained more immunostained cells than late luteal phase CL, but the late luteal phase CL contained a greater amount of immunostaining per cell than mid luteal phase CL. The immunogold particles due to relaxin were primarily present in secretory granules and to a small extent in rough endoplasmic reticulum. Quantitation revealed that secretory granules contained a much higher number of gold particles than did rough endoplasmic reticulum. These two organelles from late luteal phase CL contained greater numbers of gold particles than those from mid luteal phase.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)     

Quantitative cell composition of human and bovine corpora lutea from various reproductive states

The cell composition of human and bovine corpora lutea (CL) from various reproductive states was investigated by computerized video-based interactive Bioquant image analysis system IV and by light microscope immunocytochemistry. Human and bovine CL contained more nonluteal cells than luteal cells. Human CL contained a lower number of luteal and a greater number of nonluteal cells than bovine CL. Regardless of the reproductive state, human CL contained more small luteal cells than large luteal cells. In all reproductive states except in the late luteal phase, the bovine CL also contained more small luteal cells than large luteal cells. The average sizes of all the cells in human CL were smaller than in bovine CL. Human CL contained more vascular space than bovine CL during mid and late luteal phases. The number of luteal cells increased and nonluteal cells decreased from early to mid luteal phase, and then luteal cells decreased and nonluteal cells increased in late luteal phase and in degenerating human and bovine CL. While the change of number of small and large luteal cells first occurred from early to mid luteal phase in human CL, it did not take place until the late luteal phase in bovine CL. The average size of large luteal cells in humans and of small luteal cells in cattle did not change, whereas size of the other cells changed in different reproductive states in both human and bovine CL. The cell composition of term pregnancy human CL was similar to mid or late luteal phase, whereas the cell composition of early pregnancy bovine CL was similar to mid luteal phase.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)     

Immunolocalization of beclin 1, a bcl-2-binding,autophagy-related protein,in the human ovary: possible relation to life span of corpus luteum

Ovarian tissue homeostasis is maintained by highly regulated cyclic phases of cell proliferation/differentiation and programmed cell death. Compelling evidence indicates that both apoptotic and autophagic types of programmed cell death are involved in the regression of the corpus luteum (CL) in primate species. Beclin 1 is an autophagy-related protein that is involved in the inter-relationships between apoptosis and autophagy, through interaction with the anti-apoptotic protein bcl-2. We studied the presence and expression pattern of beclin 1 in the adult human ovary. In ovarian follicles, beclin 1 immunostaining was found in the theca layer, whereas granulosa cells were negative. After ovulation, beclin 1 immunostaining was present in both theca-lutein and granulosa-lutein areas. The expression of beclin 1 in granulosa-lutein cells was related to the functional and structural status of the CL, being strong at the early and mid luteal phases, barely detectable at the late luteal phase, and absent in granulosa-lutein cells in subsequent cycles. Our results indicated that beclin 1 expression was related to luteal cell survival rather than to cell death. Accordingly, persistent beclin 1 expression was found in granulosa-lutein cells under either physiological (i.e., CL of pregnancy) or pathological (irregularly regressing CL in climacteric women) conditions involving prolonged CL life span. Strong beclin 1 immunostaining was also found in ovarian androgen-producing cells (i.e., secondary interstitial and hilus cells). Our data thus suggest that beclin 1 plays important roles in the regulation of the life span of human CL and ovarian androgen-secreting cells, by maintaining autophagy at levels promoting cell survival rather than cell death. This study was subsidized by grant BFU 2005-01443 from the DGICYT (Spain).     

The enzymes in cyclooxygenase and lipoxygenase pathways of arachidonic acid metabolism in human corpora lutea: dependence on luteal phase, cellular and subcellular distribution

Eicosanoids synthesized within corpus luteum are presumed to regulate luteal function in women. However, the potential cellular source(s) of the eicosanoids, whether small and large luteal cells differ in eicosanoid synthesis and whether eicosanoids other than prostaglandin (PG)E2, PGF2 alpha and 6-keto-PGI1 alpha can be synthesized, have not been investigated. The present immunocytochemical studies were undertaken to answer these questions using mono and polyclonal antibodies to several enzymes in arachidonic acid metabolism by cyclooxygenase and lipoxygenase pathways. Human corpora lutea from early (n = 5), mid (n = 6) and late (n = 3) luteal phases were specifically immunostained for all the enzymes. All the enzymes were present in small and large luteal cells as well as in non luteal cells. However, small luteal cells contained more immunoreactive 5-lipoxygenase, PGD2 and PGF2 alpha synthases; large luteal cells contained more TXA2 synthase and 12-lipoxygenase; small and large luteal cells contained similar amounts of cyclooxygenase and PGI2 synthase. In all the cells, immunoreactive PGD2, PGI2 and TXA2 synthases increased from early to mid luteal phase and then declined in late luteal phase. Cyclooxygenase, 5- and 12-lipoxygenases and PGF2 alpha synthase, on the other hand, increased from early to mid and mid to late luteal phases. Immunoreactive cyclooxygenase and 5- and 12-lipoxygenases were present primarily in rough endoplasmic reticulum (ER) and/or smooth ER and cytoplasm. Quite unexpectedly, all three enzymes were also found in nuclear membranes, condensed chromatin and especially at the perimeter of condensed chromatin. Dispersed chromatin contained very little or no immunoreactive enzyme. These results indicate that regulation of human luteal function by eicosanoids synthesized within the corpus luteum is complex involving perhaps a) small and large luteal as well as non luteal cells, b) eicosanoids which have not been previously considered to play a role in luteal function and c) coordinate regulation of more than one enzyme in the pathways of arachidonic acid metabolism.     

Total ascorbate and dehydroascorbate concentrations in porcine ovarian stroma, follicles and corpora lutea throughout the estrous cycle and pregnancy

Ovarian tissues are thought to require ascorbate as an antioxidant and enzymatic cofactor for the processes of steroid and collagen synthesis. We measured the concentrations of total ascorbate and oxidized ascorbate (dehydroascorbate, DHA) in ovarian stroma, follicles and corpora lutea (CL) throughout the estrous cycle and pregnancy of the sow. Both total ascorbate and DHA concentrations were greatest in luteal tissue and lowest in ovarian stroma across all stages examined. Within the CL, total ascorbate levels were lowest during the early, early-mid, and late luteal phase and were elevated during the mid-luteal phase. Luteal total ascorbate concentrations were further elevated during early pregnancy and were comparable to mid-luteal phase concentrations during the remainder of gestation. Luteal DHA concentrations decreased from mid to late luteal phase, and were elevated throughout pregnancy. As the CL aged during the cycle, the DHA/total ascorbate ratio decreased and remained low throughout pregnancy. Total ascorbate concentrations in follicular tissue increased during the follicular phase and were lowest during the early luteal phase. The DHA concentrations and DHA/total ascorbate ratios in follicular tissue did not differ with stage. Total ascorbate and DHA concentrations in ovarian stroma were low and did not vary with stage. We conclude that periods of maximal luteal and follicular function are associated with increased concentrations of total ascorbate within the tissue. Furthermore, luteolysis appears to be associated with depletion of luteal ascorbate species.     

Steroidogenic capacity and oxidative stress-related parameters in human luteal cell regression

The steroidogenic capacity and oxidative stress-related parameters of the human corpus luteum (CL) at different stages of the luteal phase were studied under basal and human chorionic gonadotropin (hCG)-stimulated conditions. Mid CL exhibited the maximal steroidogenic capacity, together with lower levels of glutathione and higher thiobarbituric acid reactants content, macrophage count, and superoxide dismutase (SOD) activity, compared to the late CL. Addition of hCG to luteal cell cultures led to a preferential increase in progesterone synthesis in the late CL compared to the mid CL, without changes in the oxidative stress-related parameters, except for the increased SOD activity found in the late CL. It is concluded that an oxidative stress condition is established in the mid CL, coinciding with the maximal steroidogenic capacity and macrophage infiltration of the organ, which be of relevance as one of the major mechanisms initiating CL involution in the human.     

Immunocytochemical localization and enzymatic distribution of rat ovarian aromatase

A rabbit antiserum directed against purified human placental aromatase was used for immunohistochemical localization of the enzyme in rat ovaries. Immunostaining was conducted on tissue from animals at various ages and in different reproductive states: immature; immature, eCG-treated; immature pseudopregnant; adult cycling; and adult pregnant. Various labeling protocols were employed (e.g. horseradish peroxidase-conjugated secondary antibody, peroxidase-antiperoxidase, and avidin-biotin-peroxidase on fresh frozen and Bouin's fixed paraffin-embedded sections), but the avidin-biotin-peroxidase method on paraffin sections proved to be superior to the others. In immature rats, most of the immunostaining, which was quite weak, was limited to the stroma. After stimulation with eCG, some of the granulosa cells of antral follicles exhibited immunostaining; in pseudopregnant rats, most staining occurred in the luteal cells. In mature animals, the corpora lutea of pregnant and cycling rats demonstrated the greatest degree of immunostaining. No significant immunoreactivity was detected in pre-antral follicles, but in early antral follicles and preovulatory follicles, both theca and granulosa cells exhibited immunostaining. Aromatase enzymatic activity was also determined on ovarian microsomal fractions of eCG-treated immature animals, pregnant animals at term, and cycling animals. Furthermore, enzyme activity and estradiol concentrations were examined after ovaries from proestrous rats were dissected into follicular, luteal, and residual components. Activity was found in all regions and correlated with immunostaining and estrogen production. These results argue against a model in which all the immunoreactive/enzymatically active protein is localized in granulosa cells of Graafian follicles and suggest that corpora lutea may be involved in estrogen synthesis during the rat estrous cycle as well as during pregnancy.     

Expression and regulation of tumor necrosis factor (TNF) and TNF-receptor family members in the macaque corpus luteum during the menstrual cycle

Members of the tumor necrosis factor (TNF)-receptor (R) family may be involved in the tissue remodeling that occurs in the primate corpus luteum (CL) during development and regression. As a first step towards addressing this issue, studies assessed TNF ligand-R expression and regulation in CL collected from monkeys during the early (ECL, Days 3-5), mid (MCL, Days 7-8), mid-late (MLCL, Days 10-11), late (LCL, Days 14-16), and very late (VLCL, menses) luteal phase of the menstrual cycle. CL were also collected after gonadotropin and/or steroid ablation and replacement (with hLH and the progestin R5020) for 3 days at mid-late luteal phase. TNF-alpha, -beta, FAS ligand (FASL), and TNF-R1 mRNA levels were two- to sixfold greater (P < 0.05) at the MLCL or LCL phase as compared to earlier (ECL, MCL). In contrast, TNF-R2 and FAS mRNA levels did not change during the luteal phase. Immunohistochemical staining for TNF-beta, TNF-R1, TNF-R2, FAS, and FASL was observed in luteal cells, whereas only TNF-beta staining was observed in endothelial cells. Several TNF-R components were influenced by LH and/or steroid ablation; notably, steroid ablation reduced (P < 0.05) luteal TNF-alpha, but not TNF-beta, mRNA levels, which was prevented by progestin treatment. In contrast, steroid ablation increased (P < 0.05) luteal cell immunostaining for FAS and FASL, which was reduced by progestin treatment. Thus, several members of the TNF R-ligand family are expressed in the primate CL in an LH- and/or progestin-dependent manner. Peak expression in the late luteal phase may signify a role for the TNF-R system in death receptor-mediated apoptosis during luteolysis.     

Ultrastructural localization of relaxin in the corpus luteum of the pregnant and early lactating tammar wallaby, Macropus eugenii

Electron-microscope immunocytochemistry was used to determine the subcellular distribution and presence of immunoreactive relaxin throughout pregnancy and early lactation in the corpus luteum of a marsupial, the tammar wallaby. Membrane-bound, electron-dense granules were a prominent feature of the luteal cell cytoplasm. The highest numbers of granules were observed between days 20 and 24 of the 26-day gestation, with a rapid clearance immediately after birth. Relaxin immunogold particles were present only in small, electron-dense granules (200–350 nm in diameter), with no particles observed in larger granules (>400 nm diameter), nuclei or mitochondria. Relaxin immunoreactivity was low throughout early and mid pregnancy but increased markedly between days 21 and 22 and remained high over the last 4 days of pregnancy. The number of granules containing relaxin immunogold particles and the density of immunostaining were both reduced on the day of expected births (day 26). Our data demonstrate that electron-dense granules in the luteal cell cytoplasm of a pregnant marsupial contain relaxin. The peptide is produced in greatest amounts at the end of pregnancy, consistent with a role in parturition. Received: 3 March 1997 / Accepted: 26 May 1997     

Evidence for a switch in the site of relaxin production from small theca-derived cells to large luteal cells during early pregnancy in the pig

The presence of immunoreactive relaxin was studied in corpora lutea of sows during the oestrous cycle and early pregnancy by immunohistochemistry and radioimmunoassay using three different anti-relaxin sera. Sections were immunostained using the peroxidase-anti-peroxidase or the immunogold-silver technique. Before Day 14, staining in corpora lutea from non-pregnant and pregnant animals was indistinguishable. With all antisera, no immunostaining was seen on Day 3, but was detected on Days 5-7 in cells from the theca interna. In non-pregnant animals, this immunostaining decreased and by Day 15 only an occasional large cell in the centre of the corpus luteum was stained. No staining was seen by Day 22. The relaxin content of corpora lutea measured by radioimmunoassay remained low throughout the luteal phase. In contrast, the amount of immunoreactive relaxin in corpora lutea rose dramatically (140-fold) between Days 11 and 14 of pregnancy and by Day 14 of pregnancy immunostaining was seen in the majority of large luteal cells. By Day 20 of pregnancy the concentrations of immunoreactive relaxin had further increased. Histochemical staining for alkaline phosphatase suggested that, while the relaxin-immunoreactive cells seen in the early luteal phase may be theca-derived, those during early pregnancy may be derived from the granulosa. The results are compatible with the suggestion that relaxin is produced by theca-derived cells during the early luteal phase and that between Days 11 and 14 there is a switch in the site of relaxin synthesis from theca-derived cells to granulosa-derived large luteal cells. In the absence of luteolysis, as during pregnancy, this switch is accompanied by a dramatic increase in relaxin synthesis.     

Induction of relaxin secretion in rhesus monkeys by human chorionic gonadotropin: dependence on the age of the corpus luteum of the menstrual cycle

Peripheral concentrations of immunoreactive relaxin are undetectable in primates during the nonfertile menstrual cycle, but become measurable during the interval when chorionic gonadotropin (CG) rises in early pregnancy. The objectives of the current study were to determine if exogenous CG, administered in a dosage regimen which invoked patterns and concentrations resembling those of early pregnancy, would induce relaxin secretion in nonpregnant rhesus monkeys, and whether the induction was dependent on the age of the corpus luteum (CL) at the onset of treatment. Female rhesus monkeys received twice-daily i.m. injections of increasing doses of human CG (hCG) for 10 days beginning in the early (n = 4), mid (n = 6) or late (n = 4) luteal phase of the menstrual cycle [5.3 +/- 0.3, 8.3 +/- 0.5, and 12.0 +/- 0.4 days after the midcycle luteinizing hormone (LH) surge, respectively; means +/- SEM]. Whereas immunoreactive relaxin was nondetectable in the luteal phase of posttreatment cycles, detectable levels of relaxin were observed in 2 of 4, 5 of 6, and 3 of 4 monkeys during hCG treatment in the early, mid and late luteal phase, respectively. Although CG treatment rapidly enhance progesterone levels, the appearance of relaxin was deferred; relaxin was first detectable 9.0 +/- 1.0 and 4.7 +/- 1.9 days after the onset of CG treatment at early and late luteal phases. Patterns of relaxin concentrations differed among groups (P less than 0.05, ANOVA; split plot design) and relaxin levels were lowest (P less than 0.01) in monkeys treated during the early luteal phase.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)     

The role of the adenylyl cyclase system in the regulation of corpus luteum function in the human and in nonhuman primates

We have reviewed the properties of luteinizing hormone/human chorionic gonadotropic (LH/hCG)-sensitive adenylyl cyclase (AC) of human corpus luteum (CL) and its regulation by several hormones and nonhormonal activators. We have also described the changes in enzyme activity in membrane preparations of human and cynomolgus monkey CL obtained at various stages of the menstrual cycle and pregnancy. The data have been analyzed with respect to the functional status of the luteal tissue and to the species differences among primate CL. In the menstrual cycle, luteal AC responsiveness to LH/hCG was detectable during the midluteal phase, but not during the late luteal phase or in the follicular phase of the following cycle. In addition, nonhormonal stimulation was high in CL obtained during the midluteal and late luteal phases, but declined drastically by the follicular phase of the next cycle. In early pregnancy, the enzyme was unresponsive to LH/hCG stimulation, yet its sensitivity to nonhormonal stimulation was similar, if not identical, to that of midluteal phase CL. Functional activity was also evident at the end of pregnancy. These results demonstrate that expression of AC activity in primate luteal membrane changes significantly with varying hormonal status under physiologic conditions. It is concluded that the AC system in luteal membranes is an effective model to study the mechanisms that regulate function and life span of the human and nonhuman primate CL.     

Expression of vascular endothelial growth factor and its receptors in the porcine corpus luteum during the estrous cycle and early pregnancy

The present study was undertaken to determine the expression of vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) and its receptors, fms-like tyrosine kinase (Flt-1) and fetal liver kinase-1/kinase insert domain-containing receptor (Flk-1/KDR), in the porcine corpus luteum (CL) during the estrous cycle and early pregnancy. Immunohistochemical studies localized proteins of VEGF ligand-receptor system in the cytoplasm of luteal cells and in some blood vessels. Western blot analysis revealed significantly higher levels of VEGF protein during early and mid-luteal phase (vs. late luteal phase; P<0.001 and P<0.01, respectively). Quantification of VEGF mRNA in the CL showed increased mRNA levels during entire luteal phase (vs. Days 16-17; P<0.05). Expression of Flt-1 protein remained high during luteal phase (P<0.001), but the mRNA levels tended to increase from the early to the late luteal phase. Elevated protein expression of Flk-1/KDR was found in the mid-luteal phase (vs. Days 16-17; P<0.05). However, induction of Flk-1/KDR mRNA expression occurred earlier, in early luteal phase. The lowest VEGF, Flt-1 and Flk-1/KDR mRNA and protein levels were observed in regressed CL (P<0.001). During pregnancy, VEGF, Flt-1 and Flk-1/KDR mRNA and protein expression was comparable to the mid-luteal phase. In conclusion, the present study has demonstrated dynamic expression of VEGF and its receptors in the porcine CL during the estrous cycle and early pregnancy. These data suggest that the VEGF ligand-receptor system may play an important role in the development and maintenance of the CL in pigs.     

Early sexual differentiation of diencephalic dopaminergic neurons of the rat in vitro

Summary Serial brain sections of female rats at late pregnancy, parturition or early lactation were immunostained for oxytocin. Immunoreactive perikarya were visible in the magnocellular nuclei in all experimental animals as well as in ovariectomized, nulliparous controls. During late pregnancy and at parturition additional immunostaining appeared in groups of perivascular neurons in the preoptic region, the lateral subcommissural nucleus, the perifornical region and scattered throughout the ventral portion of the hypothalamus. Immunostaining of almost all of these perivascular neurons disappeared by day two postpartum, while another population of oxytocin neurons, without association with blood vessels, appeared in these brain regions after parturition. Immunostaining of processes from oxytocinergic neurons in the periventricular nucleus increased markedly near parturition. Many of these processes projected toward the third ventricle. Oxytocinergic neuronal systems that are activated in late pregnancy and early postpartum may contribute to several physiological changes associated with parturition and lactation including the onset of maternal behavior.