Plasma membrane changes in the rat corpus luteum induced by oxygen radical generation.

The luteolytic mechanism was investigated in rat corpora lutea (CL). This study focused on the changes that occur in the plasma membrane. Previous experiments with rat luteal cells indicated that in vitro generation of superoxide radicals by xanthine oxidase disrupted LH-stimulated cAMP production and progesterone secretion similar to the effect of prostaglandin F2 alpha, the luteolytic hormone. In the present study, we observed that xanthine oxidase treatment of plasma membrane samples from CL caused a large decrease in fluidity, which also occurs during prostaglandin F2 alpha-induced luteolysis. This fluidity change was blocked by catalase, bromophenacyl bromide, an inhibitor of phospholipase-A activity, indomethacin, and free radical scavengers, and it was reversed by removal of FFA from the membrane. In addition, xanthine oxidase treatment caused phospholipid breakdown, formation of neutral lipids, a burst of inorganic peroxides, and a sustained rise in the level of lipid peroxides. These results indicate that free radical generation causes several changes that disrupt the plasma membrane of CL cells, and they raise the possibility that phospholipid breakdown could be involved in the mechanism that inhibits LH stimulation of steroidogenesis during luteolysis.