Effects of deletion of the prolactin receptor on ovarian gene expression

• Published in: Reproductive biology and endocrinology 2003-02, Vol.1 (1), p.12-12, Article 12
• Main Authors: Grosdemouge, Isabelle, Bachelot, Anne, Lucas, Aurélie, Baran, Nathalie, Kelly, Paul A, Binart, Nadine
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: 20-alpha-Hydroxysteroid Dehydrogenase - biosynthesis; 20-alpha-Hydroxysteroid Dehydrogenase - genetics; 3-Hydroxysteroid Dehydrogenases - biosynthesis; 3-Hydroxysteroid Dehydrogenases - genetics; Animals; Apoptosis - genetics; Cell Cycle Proteins - biosynthesis; Cell Cycle Proteins - genetics; Cholesterol Side-Chain Cleavage Enzyme - biosynthesis; Cholesterol Side-Chain Cleavage Enzyme - genetics; Chorionic Gonadotropin - pharmacology; Corpus Luteum - physiology; Cyclin D2; Cyclin-Dependent Kinase Inhibitor p27; Cyclins - biosynthesis; Cyclins - genetics; Embryo Implantation - genetics; Embryo Implantation - physiology; Estrous Cycle - genetics; Female; fertility; Gene Expression Regulation; Gonadotropins, Equine - pharmacology; Infertility, Female - genetics; Infertility, Female - physiopathology; Insulin-Like Growth Factor Binding Protein 3 - biosynthesis; Insulin-Like Growth Factor Binding Protein 3 - genetics; Mice; Mice, Knockout; Neovascularization, Physiologic - genetics; ovary; Ovary - metabolism; Ovary - ultrastructure; Ovulation - drug effects; Ovulation - genetics; Ovulation - physiology; physiology; Pregnancy; Prolactin - physiology; prolactin receptor; Receptors, LH - biosynthesis; Receptors, LH - deficiency; Receptors, LH - genetics; Receptors, Prolactin - deficiency; Receptors, Prolactin - genetics; Receptors, Prolactin - physiology; Superovulation - drug effects; Tumor Suppressor Proteins - biosynthesis; Tumor Suppressor Proteins - genetics
• ISSN: 1477-7827; 1477-7827
• DOI: 10.1186/1477-7827-1-12

Prolactin (PRL) exerts pleiotropic physiological effects in various cells and tissues, and is mainly considered as a regulator of reproduction and cell growth. Null mutation of the PRL receptor (R) gene leads to female sterility due to a complete failure of embryo implantation. Pre-implantatory egg development, implantation and decidualization in the mouse appear to be dependent on ovarian rather than uterine PRLR expression, since progesterone replacement permits the rescue of normal implantation and early pregnancy. To better understand PRL receptor deficiency, we analyzed in detail ovarian and corpora lutea development of PRLR-/- females. The present study demonstrates that the ovulation rate is not different between PRLR+/+ and PRLR-/- mice. The corpus luteum is formed but an elevated level of apoptosis and extensive inhibition of angiogenesis occur during the luteal transition in the absence of prolactin signaling. These modifications lead to the decrease of LH receptor expression and consequently to a loss of the enzymatic cascades necessary to produce adequate levels of progesterone which are required for the maintenance of pregnancy.