Related Experiment Videos
Endothelin-1: expression and role in human corpus luteum
1Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Università Cattolica S.Cuore, Rome, Italy.
Problem:
Several recent data suggest an involvement of endothelin (ET)-1, a powerful vasoconstrictor peptide, in reproductive function. This study was designed to investigate the presence and role of ET-1 in human corpus luteum.
Method Of Study:
Purified luteal cells were incubated for different times with ET-1 or ET-3 alone or associated with human chorionic gonadotropin. In another set of experiments cells were treated with ET-1 and BQ485, an ET-A receptor antagonist, or with phorbol 12-myristate-13 acetate (PMA), an activator of protein kinase C.
Results:
ET-1 reduced both basal and human chorionic gonadotropin-induced progesterone production at all examined times, similarly PMA inhibited basal progesterone synthesis. BQ485 prevented the inhibitory effect of ET-1, while no effect was observed with ET-3. Finally, ET-1 mRNA was detected in the luteal cells.
Conclusion:
ET-1 is expressed by human luteal cells and reduces basal and human chorionic gonadotropin-induced progesterone synthesis through the ET-A receptors and the protein kinase C pathway. Conversely, ET-3 does not affect luteal steroidogenesis.