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Bioactive oxytocin in human and baboon corpora lutea
F S Khan-Dawood1, J Yang, K Anwer
1Department of Obstetrics, Gynecology and Reproductive Sciences, University of Texas Medical School, Houston 77030, USA.
The Journal of Endocrinology
|December 1, 1995
Summary
Oxytocin, a hormone, is biologically active in the corpus luteum of humans and primates. This suggests oxytocin plays a functional role in the luteal phase of the menstrual cycle.
Area of Science:
- Reproductive biology
- Endocrinology
- Primate reproductive physiology
Background:
- Oxytocin and its receptors are present in the human and non-human primate corpus luteum.
- Previous research utilized RIA, immunocytochemistry, HPLC, and PCR to identify oxytocin and its gene expression.
- The biological activity and functional role of oxytocin in the corpus luteum remain debated.
Purpose of the Study:
- To determine if oxytocin found in the corpus luteum is biologically active.
- To investigate the functional role of oxytocin in primate luteal function.
Main Methods:
- Tissue extracts from baboon and human corpora lutea were analyzed.
- Gel chromatography was used to isolate oxytocin from tissue extracts.
- A rat uterine bioassay was employed to assess the biological activity of isolated oxytocin.
Main Results:
- Oxytocin isolated from both baboon and human corpora lutea demonstrated biological activity.
- The bioassay confirmed the presence of active oxytocin in luteal tissue extracts.
Conclusions:
- Oxytocin present in the human and non-human primate corpus luteum is biologically active.
- The co-existence of oxytocin and its receptors suggests a functional role for oxytocin in luteal function.