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Horm Metab Res 2012; 44(08): 632-638
DOI: 10.1055/s-0032-1314834
Original Basic
© Georg Thieme Verlag KG Stuttgart · New York

Allopregnanolone Alters the Luteinizing Hormone, Prolactin, and Progesterone Serum Levels Interfering with the Regression and Apoptosis in Rat Corpus Luteum

M. R. Laconi
1   Instituto de Investigaciones Biomédicas, IMBECU-CONICET, Facultad de Ciencias Médicas, Universidad de Mendoza, Mendoza, Argentina
,
C. Chavez
1   Instituto de Investigaciones Biomédicas, IMBECU-CONICET, Facultad de Ciencias Médicas, Universidad de Mendoza, Mendoza, Argentina
,
J. C. Cavicchia
2   Instituto de Histología y Embriología de Mendoza, (IHEM-CONICET), Facultad de Ciencias Médicas, Universidad Nacional de Cuyo, Mendoza, Argentina
,
M. Fóscolo
2   Instituto de Histología y Embriología de Mendoza, (IHEM-CONICET), Facultad de Ciencias Médicas, Universidad Nacional de Cuyo, Mendoza, Argentina
,
Z. Sosa
3   Laboratorio de Biología de la Reproducción (LABIR), Facultad de Química, Bioquímica y Farmacia, Universidad Nacional de San Luis, San Luis, Argentina
,
R. F. Yunes
1   Instituto de Investigaciones Biomédicas, IMBECU-CONICET, Facultad de Ciencias Médicas, Universidad de Mendoza, Mendoza, Argentina
,
R. J. Cabrera
1   Instituto de Investigaciones Biomédicas, IMBECU-CONICET, Facultad de Ciencias Médicas, Universidad de Mendoza, Mendoza, Argentina
› Author Affiliations
Further Information

Publication History

received 07 December 2011

accepted 07 May 2012

Publication Date:
06 June 2012 (online)

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Abstract

Steroids synthesized in the central nervous system are termed “neurosteroids”. They are synthesized and metabolized in several brain areas. The objective of this work was to determine if 1 intracerebroventricular allopregnanolone injection in rats can interfere in luteal regression in a close relationship with modifications in LH, progesterone, and prolactin serum concentrations. Allopregnanolone was injected during proestrus morning and the animals were sacrificed on oestrous morning. Ovulation test and histological analysis were performed in the oestrus morning with light and electron microscopy. Serum prolactin, LH, and progesterone levels were measured by radioimmunoassay. The allopregnanolone injection significantly decreased luteinizing hormone serum level and the number of oocytes on oestrus. Progesterone and prolactin serum levels were increased after this injection. The inhibition of apoptotic figures due to allopregnanolone administration was detected in the already formed corpora lutea belonging to the previous ovary cycle and it was significantly lower than in vehicle group (control). When the GABAA antagonist (bicuculline) was administered alone or previously to allopregnanolone, no effect on the ovulation rate was observed. No changes in the apoptotic cell numbers were observed with respect to those of vehicle group. These results show that the effect of centrally injected allopreganolone over reproductive function could be due to a centrally originated LH mediated effect over ovarian function that affects luteal regression, through the inhibition of apoptosis and stimulation of progesterone and prolactin release.

Key words

ovary - apoptosis - GABA - prolactin - progesterone - neurosteroids
 

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