Effect of luteinizing hormone and human chorionic gonadotropin on cell populations in the ovine corpus luteum.

Two experiments were conducted to examine the effect of treatment with human chorionic gonadotropin (hCG) or ovine luteinizing hormone (LH) on the number and size distribution of steroidogenic luteal cells. In Experiment I, 27 ewes were assigned to one of three groups: 1) hCG (300 IU, i.v.) administered on Days 5 and 7.5 of the estrous cycle (Day 0 = Estrus); 2) LH (120 micrograms, i.v.) administered at 6-h intervals from Days 5 to 10 of the cycle; 3) saline (i.v.) administered as in the LH treatment group. Blood samples were drawn daily from the jugular vein for quantification of progesterone. On Day 10, corpora lutea were collected, decapsulated, weighed, and dissociated into single cell suspensions. Cells were fixed, stained for 3 beta-hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase (3 beta HSD) activity, and the size distribution of 3 beta HSD-positive cells was determined. Treatment with hCG, but not LH, increased (p less than 0.05) concentrations of progesterone in serum and the weight of corpora lutea. Treatment with either hCG of LH increased the proportion of cells greater than 22 micron in diameter and decreased the proportion of cells less than or equal to 22 micron (p less than 0.01). The ratio of small to large luteal cells decreased after treatment with either hCG or LH (p less than 0.05). In Experiment II, 9 ewes were assigned to one of two groups: 1) LH (120 micrograms, i.v.) administered at 6-h intervals from Days 5 to 10 of the estrous cycle, and 2) saline (i.v.) administered as in the LH treatment group.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)