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Previous studies on rabbit corpus luteum (CL) led to the conclusion that the luteotrophic complex, in rabbit, may include LH as well as oestradiol for normal luteal function. However, the requirement for LH is controversial. We have recently demonstrated the existence of a human chorionic gonadotrophin (hCG)-stimulated aromatase activity in cultured corpora lutea from a hyperstimulated pseudopregnant rabbit model, which develops a large number of corpora lutea, with only a few or no follicles in the ovaries. The present study was undertaken to investigate the in vitro responsiveness to hCG, dibutyryl cAMP (dbcAMP) and oestradiol of those corpora lutea.

Pseudopregnancy (PP) was induced in rabbits by i.m. injection of 200 IU equine chorionic gonadotrophin daily for 2 days followed on day 4 by i.m. injection of 200 IU hCG (day 0 of PP). Luteal tissue and small and large luteal cells obtained at days 5 and 9 of PP were cultured for 24 h or during several days respectively with or without hCG, dbcAMP or oestradiol. Basal progesterone secretion was 3·6- and 22-fold higher in large cells compared with small ones at day 5 and 9 of PP respectively. When stimulated by small doses of hCG, luteal tissue responded by a 5-fold increase in progesterone secretion. Small cells produced four times higher amounts of progesterone than controls in the presence of 1 mIU/ml hCG and more than ten times in the presence of 0·1 IU/ml hCG, whereas large cells were insensitive to hCG stimulation. dbcAMP mimicked the effect of hCG on progesterone secretion by luteal tissue and luteal cells and oestradiol stimulated basal progesterone secretion in both small and large luteal cells. Given the large contribution of non stimulated large cells to luteal progesterone production and the remarkably high sensitivity of luteal tissue to gonadotrophin in vitro it seems that interactions between the two types of cells might occur during LH stimulation. Our results suggest that LH could participate in the luteotrophic complex at least in part through the stimulation of endogenous oestradiol production by luteal cells.

Journal of Endocrinology (1997) 154, 259–265