Abstract
The relationship of oxygen free radicals to corpus luteum function in rabbits was explored during various stages of pseudopregnancy, including natural and induced luteal regression. Induced luteolysis was achieved during mid-pseudopregnancy by removal of an oestradiol capsule placed at the onset of pseudopregnancy, which suppressed ovarian oestradiol production. Activity of manganese superoxide dismutase (Mn SOD) was significantly and positively correlated with ovarian progesterone production (P < 0.01) throughout pseudopregnancy and during natural regression. Oestradiol deprivation for 12, 24 or 72h resulted in declines in Mn SOD activity and progesterone secretion, although Mn SOD rose and corpus luteum steroidogenesis was restored to normal when the capsule was replaced for 48h before assessment, having been removed for 24h. Lipid peroxide and progesterone concentrations were not correlated, although a significant rise in lipid peroxides in the luteal tissue was detected after deprivation of oestradiol for 72h. Changes in progesterone production and Mn SOD activity were not associated with alterations in concentration of prostaglandin F metabolite. These data suggest that Mn SOD may be involved in regulating function of the corpus luteum during pseudopregnancy in rabbits and that oxygen free radicals may play a role in regression of corpus luteum in this species.
Original language | English (US) |
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Pages (from-to) | 915-924 |
Number of pages | 10 |
Journal | Journal of Reproduction and Fertility |
Volume | 95 |
Issue number | 3 |
DOIs | |
State | Published - 1992 |
Keywords
- Corpus luteum
- Lipid peroxide
- Progesterone
- Rabbit
- Superoxide dismutase
ASJC Scopus subject areas
- Physiology
- Embryology
- Molecular Biology
- Obstetrics and Gynecology
- Developmental Biology