Evidence of membrane changes during regression in the bovine corpus luteum

Microsomal membranes prepared from bovine corpora lutea (CL) were examined by wide angle x-ray diffraction to determine if there were structural changes in the cellular membranes during regression. In samples prepared from CL removed at midcycle, all of the membrane lipid was in the liquid crystalline phase at body temperature. However, examination of microsomes prepared from regressing luteal tissue revealed a phase transition in which a portion of the lipid bilayer was in a gel phase at body temperature. Coincident with this physical change was a decline in CL function. These results indicate that there are structural changes that occur at the submicroscopic level in cellular membranes during luteal regression, which appear to be related to the loss in cellular function.