Molecular Human Reproduction, Vol. 7, No. 2, 137-145,
February 2001
© 2001 European Society of Human Reproduction and Embryology
Ovary and oogenesis |
Dominant expression and distribution of oestrogen receptor ß over oestrogen receptor 
in the human corpus luteum
1 Departments of Clinical Science/Obstetrics and Gynecology, Umeå University Hospital, S-901 85 Umeå, 2 Medical Bioscience/Medical Biochemistry, and 3 Medical Bioscience/Pathology, Umeå University Hospital, S-901 85 Umeå, Sweden
Abstract
To investigate the potential importance of oestrogen as a local regulator of human corpus luteum function, the mRNA expression pattern and cellular localization of oestrogen receptors (ERs), ER-
and ER-ß, were studied in corpora lutea grouped according to age, where days 2–5 post-LH rise were designated as the early luteal phase, days 6–10 as mid-luteal and days 11–14 as the late luteal phase respectively. Northern blot analysis using an ER-ß probe in samples from whole ovarian tissue and isolated corpora lutea, revealed a major band at 7.5 kb and several minor bands between 4–10 kb, while no signals for ER- mRNA were obtained. However, using a semi-quantitative reverse transcription–polymerase chain reaction followed by Southern blotting, ER-ß mRNA levels were found to be 63% lower (P < 0.05, n = 39) in the mid-luteal phase compared with the early luteal phase, while ER- mRNA expression showed no statistical differences between the different age groups. Using in-situ hybridization, ER-ß mRNA expression was localized to the steroidogenic luteal cells as well as perivascular cells and fibroblasts in the corpus luteum. Immunohistochemistry confirmed the localization of ER-ß protein, but no clear staining of luteal cells was found using antibodies against ER-. Collectively, the findings of low to moderate expression of ER-ß mRNA and protein in the steroidogenic cells, and also in vascular endothelial cells of the corpus luteum, as opposed to diminutive amounts of ER- mRNA, suggest that oestrogen activity is primarily transduced via ER-ß in the human corpus luteum.
17ß-oestradiol/human corpus luteum/oestrogen receptors/steroids
Notes
4 Present address: Departments of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Kyoto Prefectural University of Medicine, Kawaramachi-Hirokoji, Kamigyo-ku, Kyoto 602-8566, Japan
5 Present address: Centre for Laboratory Medicine University Hospital S-751 85 Uppsala, Sweden
6 To whom correspondence should be addressed. E-mail: jan.olofsson{at}obstgyn.umu.se
CiteULike 
Connotea 
Del.icio.us What's this?
This article has been cited by other articles:
|
|
 |
|
  S. van den Driesche, V. M Smith, M. Myers, and W C. Duncan Expression and regulation of oestrogen receptors in the human corpus luteum Reproduction, April 1, 2008; 135(4): 509 - 517. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]
|
|
|
|
 |
|
 M. Myers, M. C. Lamont, S. van den Driesche, N. Mary, K. J. Thong, S. G. Hillier, and W. C. Duncan Role of Luteal Glucocorticoid Metabolism during Maternal Recognition of Pregnancy in Women Endocrinology, December 1, 2007; 148(12): 5769 - 5779. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]
|
|
|
|
 |
|
 N. S. Macklon, R. L. Stouffer, L. C. Giudice, and B. C. J. M. Fauser The Science behind 25 Years of Ovarian Stimulation for in Vitro Fertilization Endocr. Rev., April 1, 2006; 27(2): 170 - 207. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]
|
|
|
|
|
|
G. Leonardsson, M. A. Jacobs, R. White, R. Jeffery, R. Poulsom, S. Milligan, and M. Parker Embryo Transfer Experiments and Ovarian Transplantation Identify the Ovary as the Only Site in Which Nuclear Receptor Interacting Protein 1/RIP140 Action Is Crucial for Female Fertility Endocrinology, February 1, 2002; 143(2): 700 - 707. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]
|
|