Human Reproduction, Vol 13, 2435-2442, Copyright © 1998 by Oxford University Press
WC Duncan, FE Rodger and PJ Illingworth
It has been shown that immune cells, particularly macrophages, accumulate
in the corpus luteum during luteolysis. This study aimed to investigate the
effect of maternal recognition of pregnancy on the localization and numbers
of macrophages in the human corpus luteum. Corpora lutea (n = 12) were
obtained from normally cycling women at the time of hysterectomy and were
dated on the basis of serial urinary luteinizing hormone (LH) estimation.
In addition, corpora lutea (n = 4) were collected from women who had
received daily doubling doses of human chorionic gonadotrophin (HCG) to
mimic the hormonal changes of early pregnancy. Macrophages were localized
by immunohistochemistry using an anti-CD68 antibody. Steroidogenic cells,
steroidogenic cells of thecal origin and endothelial cells were identified
on serial sections by immunohistochemistry for 3beta-hydroxysteroid
dehydrogenase, 17alpha-hydroxylase and von Willebrand factor, respectively.
The luteal cells capable of responding directly to HCG were identified by
isotopic in-situ hybridization for messenger RNA encoding LH/HCG receptors.
Macrophages were localized primarily to the vascular connective tissue and
theca-lutein areas of the corpus luteum, although some were found in the
granulosa-lutein cell layer. Macrophage numbers increased throughout the
luteal phase to a maximum in the late- luteal phase (P < 0.05). Luteal
'rescue' with HCG was associated with a marked reduction in the numbers of
tissue macrophages when compared with those of the late-luteal phase (P
< 0.001). One of the effects of HCG during maternal recognition of
pregnancy is to prevent the normal influx of macrophages into the corpus
luteum. As LH/HCG receptors localized to the steroidogenic cells, this
implies a fundamental role for steroidogenic cell products in the control
of macrophage influx into the human corpus luteum.
ARTICLES
The human corpus luteum: reduction in macrophages during simulated maternal recognition of pregnancy
MRC Reproductive Biology Unit, Centre for Reproductive Biology, Edinburgh, UK.
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