Corpus luteum is a temporary endocrine organ that is formed and regressed during the female reproductive cycle.It is developed from the residual follicular tissue after ovulation,which is associated with the rapid angiogenesis.Vascular endothelial growth factor(VEGF)is the most important stimulatory factor that regulates the luteal angiogenesis and also plays a key role during corpus luteum formation.VEGF is regulated by hypoxia-inducible factor(HIF)-1,which is a heterodimeric transcription factor consistent of HIF-1α and HIF-1β.The local hypoxia of ovary due to the ruptured follicle and the lack of new vascular networks induces HIF-1α expression and participates in the luteal formation through VEGF-dependent angiogenesis.The present article describes the functional and structural changes during the luteal formation from the local and hypoxic conditions immediately before and after ovulation,with an attempt to clarify the roles of hypoxia in luteal formation as well as ovarian physiology.
Corpus Luteum ; Female ; Humans ; Hypoxia ; Neovascularization, Physiologic ; Ovary ; Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor A

PURPOSE: The aim of this study was to investigate how type I diabetes mellitus (T1D) affects the folliculogenesis and oocyte development, fertilization, and embryo development. MATERIALS AND METHODS: A comparative animal study was conducted using two different mouse models of T1D, a genetic AKITA model and a streptozotocin-induced diabetes model. Ovarian function was assessed by gross observation, immunoblot, immunohistochemistry, oocyte counting, and ELISA for serum hormones (insulin, anti-Mullerian hormone, estradiol, testosterone, and progesterone). Maturation and developmental competence of metaphase II oocytes from control and T1D animals was evaluated by immunofluorescent and immunohistochemical detection of biomarkers and in vitro fertilization. RESULTS: Animals from both T1D models showed increased blood glucose levels, while only streptozotocin (STZ)-injected mice showed reduced body weight. Folliculogenesis, oogenesis, and preimplantation embryogenesis were impaired in both T1D mouse models. Interestingly, exogenous streptozotocin injection to induce T1D led to marked decreases in ovary size, expression of luteinizing hormone/chorionic gonadotropin receptor in the ovaries, the number of corpora lutea per ovary, oocyte maturation, and serum progesterone levels. Both T1D models exhibited significantly reduced pre-implantation embryo quality compared with controls. There was no significant difference in embryo quality between STZ-injected and AKITA diabetic mice. CONCLUSION: These results suggest that T1D affects folliculogenesis, oogenesis, and embryo development in mice. However, the physiological mechanisms underlying the observed reproductive effects of diabetes need to be further investigated.
Animals ; Anti-Mullerian Hormone ; Biomarkers ; Blood Glucose ; Body Weight ; Corpus Luteum ; Diabetes Mellitus ; Diabetes Mellitus, Type 1 ; Embryonic Development ; Embryonic Structures ; Enzyme-Linked Immunosorbent Assay ; Estradiol ; Female ; Female ; Fertility ; Fertilization ; Fertilization in Vitro ; Gonadotropins ; Humans ; Immunohistochemistry ; Lutein ; Mental Competency ; Metaphase ; Mice ; Oocytes ; Oogenesis ; Ovary ; Pregnancy ; Progesterone ; Reproduction ; Streptozocin ; Testosterone

Ovarian aging is related to the reduction of oocyte quality and ovarian follicles reservation leading to infertility. Vitamin C is a natural antioxidant which may counteract with adverse effects of aging in the ovary. The aim of this study was to evaluate the possible effect of vitamin C on NMRI mice ovarian aging according to the stereological study. In this experimental study, 36 adult female mice (25–30 g) were divided into two groups: control and vitamin C. Vitamin C (150 mg/kg/day) were administered by oral gavage for 33 weeks. Six animals of each group were sacrificed on week 8, 12, and 33, and right ovary samples were extracted for stereology analysis. Our data showed that the total volume of ovary, cortex, medulla and corpus luteum were significantly increased in vitamin C group in comparison to the control groups (P≤0.05). In addition, the total number of primordial, primary, secondary, and antral follicles as well as granulosa cells were improved in vitamin C group in compared to the control groups (P≤0.05). No significant difference was observed in total volume of oocytes in antral follicles between control and vitamin C groups. Our data showed that vitamin C could notably compensate undesirable effects of ovarian aging in a mouse model.
Adult ; Aging ; Animals ; Ascorbic Acid ; Corpus Luteum ; Female ; Granulosa Cells ; Humans ; Infertility ; Mice ; Oocytes ; Ovarian Follicle ; Ovary ; Vitamins

The objective of this study was to compare ovulation rate, number of large ovarian follicles, and concentrations of plasma progesterone (P4) and non-esterified fatty acids (NEFA) between lame (n = 10) and non-lame (n = 10) lactating Holstein cows. The study was conducted in an organic dairy farm, and cows were evaluated by undertaking ultrasonography and blood sampling every 3 days from 30 days postpartum for a period of 34 days. Cows which became lame during the first 30 days postpartum experienced a lower ovulation rate determined by the presence of a corpus luteum (50% presence for lame cows and 100% for non-lame cows, p ≤ 0.05). The number of large ovarian follicles in the ovaries was 5 for lame cows and 7 for non-lame cows (p = 0.09). Compared to non-lame cows, lame cows had significantly lower (p ≤ 0.05) concentrations of plasma P4. Furthermore, NEFA concentrations were lower (p ≤ 0.05) in lame cows than in non-lame cows. It is concluded that lameness in postpartum dairy cows is associated with ovulation failure and lower concentrations of P4 and NEFA.
Agriculture ; Corpus Luteum ; Fatty Acids ; Fatty Acids, Nonesterified ; Female ; Mortuary Practice ; Ovarian Follicle ; Ovary ; Ovulation ; Plasma ; Postpartum Period ; Progesterone ; Ultrasonography

The following experiments were designed to examine the effect of serum of spayed dogs on superovulation response in mice and rats. In Experiment 1, female mice at diestrus (n=30) were divided into three equal groups and superovulated with either administration of 5 IU pregnant mare serum gonadotropin (PMSG) or recombinant follicle stimulating hormone (rFSH) (reducing dose from 2.5 to 0.5 IU) and 5 IU human chorionic gonadotropin (hCG) administered 48h later. Serum of spayed dogs was administered intraperitoneally at a reduced dose from 0.1 to 0.025 mL in a 48 h period. In Experiment 2, female rats (n=30) at diestrus stage were divided into three equal groups. Superovulation was induced using either 30 IU PMSG, or a dose reduced from 5 to 1 IU rFSH and 25 IU hCG administered 48h later. Serum of spayed dogs was administered in a reduced dose from 0.6 to 0.1 mL in a 48 hour period. Female mice and rats were mated 24 h following hCG administration. On day 14 after mating, animals were euthanized and ovarian sections were fixed for histopathological evaluation and corpus luteum (CL) counting. No significant difference observed in mean (±SEM) number of CLs between the PMSG group and the mice that received serum of spayed dog (10.4±1.3 vs 9.2±1.0). Mean (±SEM) number of CLs tended to be lower in rats that received serum of spayed dog than those of rats which received either PMSG or rFSH (15.1±1.9 vs 23.6±3.1 and 23.1±2.9, P=0.06, respectively). In conclusion, serum of spayed dogs is able to induce a superovulatory response in mice and rats.
Animals ; Chorionic Gonadotropin ; Corpus Luteum ; Diestrus ; Dogs* ; Female* ; Follicle Stimulating Hormone ; Gonadotropins ; Humans ; Mice* ; Rats* ; Superovulation*

Tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α) induces serum amyloid A (SAA) 3 among acute-phase proteins in mouse granulosa cells by activating NF-κB signaling via p55 TNF-α receptor type 1. However, the localization of SAA3 within the ovary is unknown. Here we investigated ovarian localization of SAA3 in a mouse ovulation model and in response to IL-1β, a proinflammatory mediator. For the ovulation model, equine chorionic gonadotropin (eCG; 2.5 IU) was administered to mice subcutaneously (sc) to stimulate follicular development on day 25 of age and then 50 h after eCG, human chorionic gonadotropin (hCG; 2.5 IU) was administered sc to induce ovulation. The mouse ovulation model was characterized by the localization of CYP19 mRNA expression to granulosa layers of larger follicles. SAA3 mRNA, determined by in situ hybridization, was broadly expressed throughout the whole ovary. Granulosa layers and small follicles expressed higher SAA3 mRNA compared to thecal-interstitial layers and large follicles, respectively. Interestingly, atretic follicles contained cells expressing intense SAA3 mRNA. After ovulation, SAA3 mRNA expression was intensely evident in ruptured follicles and corpora lutea (CL). The intraperitoneal administration of IL-1β revealed the intense and extensive appearance of specific cells expressing SAA3 mRNA around follicles and in CL. In addition, Gene Expression Omnibus (GEO) database analysis supported expression pattern of SAA3 mRNA observed in mouse ovulation model. Taken together, SAA3 was broadly distributed through the whole ovary, but intensely expressed in atretic follicles and CL. Furthermore, proinflammatory mediators could trigger the intense appearance of SAA3 around follicles and in CL.
Acute-Phase Proteins ; Amyloid* ; Animals ; Aromatase ; Chorionic Gonadotropin ; Corpus Luteum ; Electrocardiography ; Female ; Gene Expression ; Granulosa Cells ; In Situ Hybridization ; Mice* ; Necrosis ; Ovarian Follicle ; Ovary* ; Ovulation ; RNA, Messenger ; Serum Amyloid A Protein

OBJECTIVE: To explore the effect of compound malt pills (CMP) on polycystic ovarian syndrome (PCOS) rat model induced by letrozole and the underlying mechanisms.
 METHODS: To establish a PCOS rat model, 48 female SD rats aged 6 weeks were randomly divided into 6 groups (n=8): A normal group, a model control group, a positive control group, a low-dose CMP group, a middle-dose CMP group, and a high-dose CMP group. Rats were treated for 21 days after the PCOS model was successfully established. Ovarian morphology changes were observed, and the expressions of ERα and ERβ was examined by immunohistochemistry, Western blot and RT-PCR, respectively.
 RESULTS: Compared with the normal group, the number of follicular cystic dilatation in the model control group was increased and the granulosa cells were decreased. After the treatment, the number of follicular cystic dilatation was reduced compared with the model control group, but the primordial follicles, corpus luteum and granulosa cells were increased. The expressions of ERα and ERβ in the model control group were significantly decreased (P<0.01), which were increased in the intervention groups (P<0.05 or P<0.01).
 CONCLUSION CMP may play a role in the treatment of PCOS by regulating the expressions of ERα and ERβ.
Animals ; Corpus Luteum ; drug effects ; Disease Models, Animal ; Drugs, Chinese Herbal ; pharmacology ; Estrogen Receptor alpha ; metabolism ; Estrogen Receptor beta ; metabolism ; Female ; Granulosa Cells ; drug effects ; Letrozole ; Nitriles ; adverse effects ; Ovarian Follicle ; drug effects ; Polycystic Ovary Syndrome ; chemically induced ; metabolism ; Rats ; Rats, Sprague-Dawley ; Triazoles ; adverse effects

Congenital afibrinogenemia/hypofibrinogenemia is a rare inherited hematologic disorder in which a patient lacks or has insufficient level of fibrinogen, the blood coagulation factor I. The incidence of this uncommon disease is 1 to 2 per 1 million individuals. Hence, massive hemoperitoneum caused by ovulation in a woman with congenital afibrogenemia is also a very rare clinical condition. Massive hemoperitoneum usually presents as acute abdominal pain with potential findings of peritonitis including abdominal distention, hypotension and tachycardia with critical consequences. We performed emergent endoscopic surgery for hemoperitoneum caused by a ruptured corpus luteum cyst in a patient with congenital hypofibrinogenemia. To the best of our knowledge, this was the first case report of such treatment in Korea.
Abdominal Pain ; Afibrinogenemia ; Corpus Luteum* ; Female ; Fibrinogen ; Hemoperitoneum* ; Humans ; Hypotension ; Incidence ; Korea ; Ovarian Cysts* ; Ovulation ; Peritonitis ; Rupture ; Tachycardia

INTRODUCTIONThe aim of this study was to determine the effect of a high-fat diet (HFD) on oocyte maturation and quality in a mouse model.

METHODSFemale BALB/c mice were allocated to one of the following groups: (a) control group (n = 40), which received a controlled diet; or (b) HFD group (n = 40), which received an HFD for 12 weeks. Sections of the ovary were examined histologically. The number of follicles and corpora lutea were counted. In vitro maturation and in vitro fertilisation (IVF) were assessed in germinal vesicle (GV) and metaphase II (MII) oocytes, respectively. The expression of bone morphogenetic protein 15 (BMP15) and leptin receptor genes in GV and MII oocytes was evaluated using reverse transcription real-time polymerase chain reactions.

RESULTSIn the HFD group, there was a decreased number of primordial and Graafian follicles, as well as corpora lutea (p < 0.05). The rate of oocyte development to the MII stage was also reduced (p < 0.001). Cumulus expansion was observed more frequently in the control group than the HFD group (p < 0.05). The IVF rate in the HFD group was lower than that in the control group (p < 0.05). In the HFD group, BMP15 and leptin receptor genes were upregulated in the GV stage (p > 0.05) and MII stage (p < 0.05), compared to the control group.

CONCLUSIONAn HFD reduces folliculogenesis in the primordial and Graafian stages, in vitro maturation and in vitro fertilisation rates, as well as oocyte quality in mice.

Animals ; Body Weight ; Bone Morphogenetic Protein 15 ; metabolism ; Corpus Luteum ; pathology ; Diet, High-Fat ; Female ; Fertility ; Fertilization in Vitro ; methods ; Gene Expression Regulation ; Metaphase ; Mice ; Mice, Inbred BALB C ; Obesity ; complications ; Oocytes ; cytology ; pathology ; Ovarian Follicle ; pathology ; Ovary ; metabolism ; pathology ; Photography ; Polymerase Chain Reaction ; Receptors, Leptin ; metabolism

The level of P4 at the time of embryo transfer (ET) is important. P4 concentrations and numbers of corpora lutea for 126 recipients were evaluated. Nuclear transfer embryos were transferred into 126 surrogates. 11 maintained their pregnancy until full-term delivery, 17 miscarried, and implantation failed in 98 animals. P4 levels in the full-term group were significantly different from those of the pigs that aborted or in which implantation failed (p < 0.05). However, the numbers of corpora lutea were not significantly different. These findings indicate that the concentration of progesterone can be an important factor for successful ET in pigs.
Animals ; Corpus Luteum/*physiology ; Embryo Transfer/*veterinary ; Embryo, Mammalian/*physiology ; Female ; Nuclear Transfer Techniques ; Pregnancy ; *Pregnancy Rate ; Progesterone/*blood ; Retrospective Studies ; Sus scrofa/*physiology