Life Cycle of Feline Corpora lutea: Histological and Intraluteal Hormone Analysis

Contents The corpus luteum (CL) is a transient hormone gland on the ovary that produces progesterone (P4) for the maintenance of pregnancy. It develops from residual follicular granulosa and theca cells after ovulation. Very little is known about the cellular and hormonal processes within CLs obtain...

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:Reproduction in domestic animals 2012-12, Vol.47 (s6), p.25-29
Main Authors: Jewgenow, K, Amelkina, O, Painer, J, Göritz, F, Dehnhard, M
Format: Article
Language:English
Subjects:
Animals
Cats - physiology
Corpus Luteum - physiology
Dogs
Female
Histology
Hormones
Life cycles
Pregnancy
Progesterone - metabolism
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Summary:Contents The corpus luteum (CL) is a transient hormone gland on the ovary that produces progesterone (P4) for the maintenance of pregnancy. It develops from residual follicular granulosa and theca cells after ovulation. Very little is known about the cellular and hormonal processes within CLs obtained from pregnant and pseudopregnant felids. Therefore, our aim was to review the luteal function in feline CLs of different reproductive stages in conjunction with our data obtained in domestic cats and Eurasian lynxes. Corpus luteum function in lynxes is of particular interest, as a post‐partum luteal activity was suggested based on repeated ultrasonography and endocrine examinations. Histology of CL from pregnant and pseudopregnant domestic cats clearly reflects the luteal function. The formation of the CL after ovulation is characterized by transforming of theca and granulosa cells into steroidogenic luteal cells and is accompanied by increased intraluteal and circulating P4 levels. Luteal regression is steadily progressive; the first signs (coarsed vacuolization, increased proportion of non‐steroidogenic cells) are visible already in CL from the second trimester of pregnancy.
ISSN:0936-6768
1439-0531
DOI:10.1111/rda.12033