[Effect of human chorionic gonadotropin and dibutyryl cyclic AMP on steroidogenesis in human corpora lutea (author's...

The effects of human chorionic gonadotropin (HCG), dibutyryl cyclic adenosin-3',5'-monophosphate (d-cAMP) on cyclic AMP (cAMP) accumulation and estradiol (E2), progesterone (P) productions in human corpora lutea were investigated by the method of short term incubation of human corpora lutea of menstrual cycle and pregnancy (6th-12th week). Thus the luteotropic effects of administered HCG on human corpora lutea were studied. (1) Elevated E2, P and cAMP concentrations in corpora lutea tissues of the menstrual cycle and comparable their levels of pregnancy were observed in the incubation with HCG. (2) In the incubation with d-cAMP, the concentrations of E2, P in luteal tissue were significantly elevated in menstrual cycle and pregnancy. (3) High doses of HCG were administered to patients during luteal phase. In the incubation of their luteal tissue, E2, P and cAMP concentrations were elevated by exogenous d-cAMP, but not HCG. These results indicate that cAMP accumulation and steroidogenesis in the corpora lutea were not activated by exogenous HCG. Furthermore, the behaviour of the intra-cellular cAMP in the corpora lutea was not different between menstrual cycle and pregnancy.