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Local mechanisms for luteolysis in the cow: Novel roles of vasoactive substances in the luteolytic cascade within the corpus luteum
Author(s) -
SHIRASUNA Koumei,
MATSUI Motozumi,
SHIMIZU Takashi,
MIYAMOTO Akio
Publication year - 2007
Publication title -
animal science journal
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.606
H-Index - 38
eISSN - 1740-0929
pISSN - 1344-3941
DOI - 10.1111/j.1740-0929.2007.00463.x
Subject(s) - corpus luteum , luteolysis , luteal phase , medicine , endocrinology , paracrine signalling , chemistry , biology , hormone , receptor
The corpus luteum (CL) in the estrous cycle in the cow is a dynamic organ which has a lifespan of approximately 17–18 days. As the CL matures, the steroidogenic cells establish contact with many capillary vessels and the CL is composed of a large number of vascular endothelial cells that can account for up to 50% of the bovine CL. Furthermore, luteal cells and endothelial cells secrete several vasoactive substances such as prostaglandin F 2α (PGF 2α ), endothelin‐1 and angiotensin II. These vasoactive substances also function in regulating progesterone secretion in an autocrine/paracrine manner in the CL. The blood vessels and endothelial cells in the CL therefore have an essential role in the luteal function in the cow. Endometrial PGF 2α , the primary luteolysin in the cow, stimulates luteal vasoactive substances during luteolysis. Moreover, luteal vasoactive substances may have key roles in the regulation of luteolysis to induce vasodilatation, vasoconstriction and angiolysis. This review describes the current concept for possible roles of vasoactive substances in the luteolytic cascade within the bovine CL.