PMID: 7014861Jan 1, 1981Paper

Hormonal control of the corpus luteum and embryonic diapause in macropodid marsupials

Journal of Reproduction and Fertility. Supplement
C H Tyndale-Biscoe, L Hinds

Abstract

Embryonic diapause in the macropodid marsupials is associated with an undeveloped corpus luteum (CL) and low levels of progesterone in plasma. The fertilized egg will enter diapause after ovariectomy and can survive for several months but for reactivation to occur the CL must be present and grow, and there must be a rise in plasma progesterone concentrations. Therefore the central question in the endocrine control of this phenomenon is how the activity of the CL is controlled. The pituitary exerts a tonic inhibition on the CL, probably through prolactin, and when this is released, even temporarily, the CL is reactivated. Once reactivated, no pituitary support is needed for either CL growth or steroidogenesis. The membranes of the luteal cells contain abundant prolactin receptors and prolactin probably exerts its inhibitory effect directly on the CL. Prolactin does not appear to affect steroidogenesis directly, since progesterone production in vitro does not differ between quiescent and reactivated CL and is not altered by addition of prolactin or LH. The increase in plasma progesterone after reactivation can be accounted for by the increase in CL mass. We conclude that circulating prolactin inhibits hyperplasia and hypertrophy ...Continue Reading

Related Concepts

Trending Feeds

COVID-19

Coronaviruses encompass a large family of viruses that cause the common cold as well as more serious diseases, such as the ongoing outbreak of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19; formally known as 2019-nCoV). Coronaviruses can spread from animals to humans; symptoms include fever, cough, shortness of breath, and breathing difficulties; in more severe cases, infection can lead to death. This feed covers recent research on COVID-19.

Blastomycosis

Blastomycosis fungal infections spread through inhaling Blastomyces dermatitidis spores. Discover the latest research on blastomycosis fungal infections here.

Nuclear Pore Complex in ALS/FTD

Alterations in nucleocytoplasmic transport, controlled by the nuclear pore complex, may be involved in the pathomechanism underlying multiple neurodegenerative diseases including Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis and Frontotemporal Dementia. Here is the latest research on the nuclear pore complex in ALS and FTD.

Applications of Molecular Barcoding

The concept of molecular barcoding is that each original DNA or RNA molecule is attached to a unique sequence barcode. Sequence reads having different barcodes represent different original molecules, while sequence reads having the same barcode are results of PCR duplication from one original molecule. Discover the latest research on molecular barcoding here.

Chronic Fatigue Syndrome

Chronic fatigue syndrome is a disease characterized by unexplained disabling fatigue; the pathology of which is incompletely understood. Discover the latest research on chronic fatigue syndrome here.

Evolution of Pluripotency

Pluripotency refers to the ability of a cell to develop into three primary germ cell layers of the embryo. This feed focuses on the mechanisms that underlie the evolution of pluripotency. Here is the latest research.

Position Effect Variegation

Position Effect Variagation occurs when a gene is inactivated due to its positioning near heterochromatic regions within a chromosome. Discover the latest research on Position Effect Variagation here.

STING Receptor Agonists

Stimulator of IFN genes (STING) are a group of transmembrane proteins that are involved in the induction of type I interferon that is important in the innate immune response. The stimulation of STING has been an active area of research in the treatment of cancer and infectious diseases. Here is the latest research on STING receptor agonists.

Microbicide

Microbicides are products that can be applied to vaginal or rectal mucosal surfaces with the goal of preventing, or at least significantly reducing, the transmission of sexually transmitted infections. Here is the latest research on microbicides.