During the second half of the luteal phase, the human corpus luteum becomes responsive to regular luteinizing hormone (LH) pulses. These LH pulses stimulate progesterone secretion tonically, and during this tonic stimulation, additional LH-independent progesterone pulses occur, which are particularly pronounced in women with human chorionic gonadotropin-stimulated luteal function. No progesterone pulses are seen in women suffering from corpus luteum deficiency due to absent LH pulses. The corpus luteum thus has a progesterone pulse generator turned on by gonadotropins but functioning for several hours without further gonadotropic support. This pulse generator appears to be regulated by intraluteal auto-/paracrine mechanisms, which we have investigated in a porcine model using molecular, cellular, and in vivo tools. Luteal oxytocin and progesterone release occurs in tightly coupled pulses. In vivo, oxytocin and prostaglandin F2 alpha(PGF2 alpha) stimulate estradiol and progesterone release and estradiol itself further stimulates progesterone release. Analysis of the different luteal cell compartments (large luteal cells, small luteal cells, fibroblasts) suggests an intraluteal circuit that involves paracrine effects of estradiol, oxytocin, and PGF2 alpha. At the time of luteolysis, the luteotropic effects of estradiol are inhibited by tumor necrosis factor derived from invading macrophages and the intraluteal circuit is thereby disrupted, leading to luteolysis.

Corpus Luteum↗

PubMedDate not supplied

Demonstration of luteotrophic responses of human recombinant gamma interferon in porcine corpora lutea using an in-vivo microdialysis system.

Conceptuses from several mammalian species prior to implantation secrete proteins belonging to the family of interferons. The main species of interferons known to be secreted by the pig blastocyst is interferon gamma (IFNgamma), the precise role of which is unclear. We decided to explore its effects on corpus luteum (CL) function using the novel microdialysis technique in vivo. Six cycling miniature pigs were monitored for estrus by daily plasma progesterone analysis and visual symptoms. On day nine of the cycle (day zero being the day of ovulation) the animals underwent surgery, and microdialysis tubing (vitafiber, Amicon U.S.A, cut off mol. wt. 1 million) were implanted in 17 corpora lutea. The inlets and outlets of all tubings were exteriorized and the entry and exit points of tubings in the CLs sealed with tissue glue. The afferent extension tubings were connected to a fraction collector and the system was continuously flushed with Ringer at a flow rate of 2.4 ml/h. After an initial flushout phase of 8 h, fractions were collected every half hour over 3 days. On days 10, 11 and 12 post estrus 12 CLs were stimulated for 4 h with 10(-7) M, 2 x 10(7) M and 4 x 10(-7) M human recombinant IFNgamma (Pharma Biotechnologie) respectively. Simultaneously, fractions were also collected from the remaining five unstimulated corpora lutea which served as controls. Progesterone concentrations in the dialysates were estimated by a sensitive enzymeimmunoassay (EIA). A significant increase (P < 0.01) in progesterone release was observed in all 3 days following stimulation. The progesterone increase was more marked on the first day of stimulation (1 x 10[-7] M) with the hormone levels rising further even after the end of stimulation. The overall increase in progesterone concentration was 2-fold on day 10 in comparison to 15-30% on subsequent days even though IFN concentrations for stimulation were 2- and 4-fold higher. In the unstimulated CLs, a gradual decline (P < 0.01) in progesterone levels were observed over days. In conclusion, these data provide evidence that the early conceptus signals its presence by way of IFNgamma to maintain the CL in pigs.

Animals↗

PubMedDate not supplied

Hypothalamic relationships between interleukin-6 and LHRH release affected by bacterial endotoxin in adult male rats. Involvement of the inhibitory amino acid system.

Immune system alterations coexist with modifications in the reproductive axis. The bacterial endotoxin lipopolysaccharide (LPS) has inflammatory effects and stimulates cytokine release in the hypothalamus where LHRH neurons are located. LPS inhibition of LHRH release at hypothalamic level appears to be associated with modifications in the cerebral immune system. Central and peripheral LPS administration induces the expression and release of several cytokines in the central nervous system. Hence the present study was designed to investigate a possible function of the interleukin-6 (IL-6) stimulated by LPS in the regulation of LHRH secretion. Male rats were decapitated, and the preoptic mediobasal hypothalamic area (PO/MBH) was dissected and superfused with Earle's balanced salt solution. Superfusate fractions were collected at 15-min intervals after a 60-min stabilization superfusion period. LPS (100 ng/ml) and IL-6 receptor antagonist (IL-6ra) were then added to the superfusion medium over 1 h in two different experimental designs: (1) LPS only and (2) LPS followed by IL-6ra, performed in different experiments. This was followed by a washout period. The PO/MBH fragments were then subjected to a 56 mM K+ stimulus. Control PO/MBH fragments were continuously superfused with Earle's solution. As expected, LHRH release was significantly reduced (p < 0.05) during and following exposure to LPS. At the same time, IL-6 concentrations significantly increased in the superfusion medium compared with the control group. IL-6ra significantly (p < 0.01) potentiated the inhibitory effect of LPS on LHRH secretion. On the bases of previous papers indicating a stimulatory effect of IL-6 on LHRH release it could be considered that the potentiation of IL-6ra of the inhibitory effect of LPS on LHRH could be the consequence of the lack of the stimulatory effect of IL-6 on LHRH produced by the receptor antagonist. IL-6ra also increased IL-6 levels measured in medium probably due to a decrease in the metabolization induced by the blockage of the receptors and the consequent accumulation of IL-6 in the media. These results could indicate that IL-6 partly attenuates the inhibitory effect of LPS on LHRH release. These observations indicate that there is an increase in IL-6 release that becomes significant at the same time when LHRH release is decreased. Also, depolarizing concentrations of K+ (56 mM) did not increase IL-6 release, while LHRH release from the hypothalamic fragments was significantly increased. These data suggest that the inhibitory effect of LPS on LHRH release may be explained by the stimulation of other cytokines than IL-6, meanwhile the augmented levels of IL-6 probably released via a nonneuronal source was shown to be higher when LHRH was decreased. This could confirm the stimulatory role of IL-6 on LHRH release.

Amino Acids↗

PubMedDate not supplied

Effects of endotoxin on in vitro release of LHRH and amino acid neurotransmitters by preoptic mediobasal hypothalamic fragments.

Alterations in the immune system are often accompanied by reproductive disorders. The bacterial endotoxin lipopolysaccharide (LPS) has central inflammatory effects, and activates the release of cytokines (immune system mediatory factors) in the hypothalamus, where the LHRH neurons are located. Therefore, these studies were designed to investigate a possible effect of the LPS and LHRH secretion and the possible interaction with excitatory and inhibitory amino acids. Animals were decapitated at 09.00 h, and the preoptic mediobasal hypothalamic area (PO/MBH) dissected and superfused. Superfusate fractions were collected at 15-min intervals. After a stabilization superfusion period of 60 min four fractions were collected; LPS (100 ng/ml) was then added to the superfusion medium for the duration of 1 h. This was followed by a washout period of 60 min. The PO/MBH fragments were then subjected to a 56 mM K+ stimulus. Control PO/MBH fragments were continuously superfused with Earle's balanced salt solution. LHRH release was significantly (p < 0.05) reduced during and following exposure to LPS. At this time GABA and taurine concentrations increased in the superfusion medium, while glutamate decreased significantly compared with the control group. These observations indicate that LPS inhibits LHRH and glutamate release, but stimulates taurine and GABA secretion. These effects may be explained by the stimulation of cytokines of neuronal and/or glial source which may interact with the excitatory and inhibitory amino acids.

Animals↗

PubMedDate not supplied

Bacterial endotoxin inhibits LHRH secretion following the increased release of hypothalamic GABA levels. Different effects on amino acid neurotransmitter release.

Immune system disorders are often accompanied by alterations in the reproductive axis. The bacterial endotoxin (lipopolysaccharide, LPS) has inflammatory effects and activates cytokine release in the pituitary and hypothalamus. LPS inhibition of luteinizing-hormone-releasing hormone (LHRH) release at the hypothalamic level appears to be associated with modifications in the inhibitory GABAergic neurotransmitter system. Then, knowing that gamma-aminobutyric acid (GABA) mediates other neurotransmitter effects in the central nervous system, the possibility arises that this amino acid might mediate the effect of LPS on LHRH release by modifying amino acid neurotransmitter release at the hypothalamic level. Therefore, the present study was designed to investigate a possible mediatory function of the GABAergic system in the LPS-induced inhibition of LHRH secretion. To this end, the modifications in the excitatory (glutamate, Glu) and inhibitory (taurine, Tau, and GABA) amino acid neurotransmitter release after the application of GABA-A and GABA-B antagonists, respectively, were studied and the effects of LPS on their release determined. Male rats were decapitated at 9.00 h, and the preoptic/mediobasal hypothalamic area (POA/MBH) was dissected and superfused with Earle's balanced salt solution. Superfusate fractions were collected at 15-min intervals after a 60-min stabilization superfusion period. LPS (100 ng/ml) was then added to the superfusion medium over 1 h in three different experimental designs: (1) LPS only (2) LPS simultaneously with bicuculline (GABA-A antagonist) or with phaclofen (GABA-B antagonist), and (3) LPS and subsequently bicuculline or phaclofen, performed in different experiments. This was followed by a wash-out period. The POA/MBH fragments were then subjected to a 56-mM K+ stimulus. Control POA/MBH fragments were continuously superfused with Earle's solution. As expected, LHRH release was significantly reduced (p < 0.05) during and following exposure to LPS. At the same time, GABA and Tau concentrations increased in the superfusion medium, while Glu decreased significantly compared with the control group. The GABA antagonists blocked and reversed the LPS effect on LHRH secretion. No significant differences were found between the effect of GABA-A and-B receptor antagonists. Meanwhile, GABA levels measured in the control group did not increase since they were the same as when LPS was added alone. Furthermore, LPS was without effect on Glu and Tau release in the presence of the GABA blockers. Therefore, the effect of the bacterial endotoxin was blocked. These observations indicate that there is an increase in GABA release that becomes significant at the same time when LHRH release is decreased. This effect can be blocked by GABA-specific receptor blockers. The effect of LPS is thus exerted by increasing GABA. The elevated GABA levels may also reduce Glu release and enhance Tau release. These modifications in neurotransmitter release may also contribute to LHRH suppression. These effects may be explained by the stimulation of cytokines of neuronal and/or glial origin that interact with the excitatory and inhibitory amino acids.

Animals↗