Corpus Luteum Development: Lessons from Genetic Models in Mice

摘要: The corpus luteum is a transient endocrine gland that produces essentially progesterone, required product for the establishment and maintenance of early pregnancy. In absence pregnancy, will cease to produce structure itself regress in size over time. life span function regulated by complex interactions between stimulatory (luteotrophic) inhibitory (luteolytic) mediators. Although process luteal formation regression has been studied several decades, many regulatory mechanisms involved loss involution are incompletely understood. rodents, prolactin major luteotrophic hormone maintaining structural functional integrity days after mating. Other factors steroidogenesis, control cell cycle, apoptosis, tissue remodeling have shown play role development maintenance. Especially, PGF2alpha seems be most potent luteolytic hormone. One important advances study mammalian genes techniques obtain defined mutations mice. These tools enable us target specific analyze impact their on fate function. With these approaches, receptors, transcription factors, enzymes, other linked models helping define reproductive identify potential new contraceptive targets pathophysiology disorders.