Abstract
Stimulated ovulation with resultant multiple corpora lutea (CL) can result in
lower proges-terone levels than expected from the increased luteal tissue
mass. Unilateral ovariectomy (ULO) was used to increase CL number in rats and
determine whether this would compromise luteal tissue blood flow, oxygen
consumption and progestin secretion. All investigations were performed
in vivo, using a venous outflow technique on Day 16 of
gestation, when progesterone secretion is maximal. ULO, performed before
pregnancy, doubled CL number and total CL mass in the remaining ovary of six
treated compared to five control rats. Growth of CL was not affected. The rate
of ovarian blood flow (µL min−1 mg
CL−1) fell to 47% of control levels in ULO
animals and progesterone secretion (µg h−1
mg CL−1) to 68%. Secretion of the minor
progestin, 20α-hydroxypregn-4-en-one was not affected. Tissue oxygen
consumption was maintained despite the reduction in blood flow by an increase
in oxygen extraction from arterial blood. These results suggest that
overcrowding of CL in ULO-stimulated rat ovaries compromises luteal tissue
blood flow and subsequently progesterone secretion.
Subject
Developmental Biology,Endocrinology,Genetics,Molecular Biology,Animal Science and Zoology,Reproductive Medicine,Biotechnology
Cited by
3 articles.
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