# GONADOTROPIN RECEPTORS OF THE CORPUS LUTEUM

> **NIH NIH R01** · OREGON REGIONAL PRIMATE RESEARCH CENTER · 1994 · $200,167

## Abstract

Recent data from this laboratory suggest that the primate corpus luteum
(CL) contains progesterone (P) and androgen (A) [but not estrogen (E)]
receptors (R) and that the ovulatory gonadotropin surge induces PR in
luteinizing granulosa cells.  The proposed experiments are designed: (a)
to investigate steroid R gene activity in the primate ovary and whether
the midcycle gonadotropin surge increases PR mRNA levels in the
developing corpus luteum, (b) to examine the role of gonadotropins (LH
and CG) in the maintenance and "rescue" of PR (but not AR or ER) in the
CL of the menstrual cycle and early pregnancy, respectively, (c) to
determine whether LH and CG act directly or indirectly [via
prostaglandins (PGs) or steroids] to induce or maintain PR and its mRNA
in luteal cells, and (d) to consider the role of progesterone/PR- and
androgen/AR-mediated events in the development, function and regression
of the primate corpus luteum during the menstrual cycle.

Cells from pre- and post-ovulatory follicles and corpora lutea will be
collected from rhesus monkeys at specific stages in spontaneous and
artificial (gonadotropin-treated) menstrual cycles.  GnRH antagonist and
PG or steroid synthesis inhibitors (or vehicle) will be administered
prior to tissue collection.  Steroid Rs will be examined by
immunocytochemistry, radioligand binding assays and Western blot
analyses.  Steroid R mRNAs will be detected by reverse
transcription-polymerase chain reaction and PCR-amplified cDNA sequenced.
Steroid R mRNAs will be quantitated by the ribonuclease protection assay.
Cells will be cultured in the presence and absence of gonadotropins (FSH,
LH, CG), PGs (e.g., PGE2 and F2alpha), steroids (P, A, E) or PG and
steroid inhibitors to determine if LH/CG or gonadotropin-stimulated cell
products directly regulate PR or mRNA expression.  In vivo and cell
culture approaches will determine if P and A act locally to modulate the
development (including periovulatory events) and function (basal and
LH/CG-sensitive PG and peptide synthesis) by the macaque corpus luteum.

These studies should establish whether the primate corpus luteum of the
menstrual cycle and early pregnancy contains classical steroid Rs and
will likely identify a new action for luteotropic gonadotropins--the
regulation of PR and hence P action.  The first detailed investigation on
the roles of P and A in the primate CL will be performed.  This work
should provide unique insight into gonadotropin-dependent,
steroid-regulated processes that locally modulate primate luteal
function, with direct applications to controlling fertility and
infertility in women.

## Key facts

- **NIH application ID:** 2198111
- **Project number:** 5R01HD020869-08
- **Recipient organization:** OREGON REGIONAL PRIMATE RESEARCH CENTER
- **Principal Investigator:** RICHARD L STOUFFER
- **Activity code:** R01 (R01, R21, SBIR, etc.)
- **Funding institute:** NIH
- **Fiscal year:** 1994
- **Award amount:** $200,167
- **Award type:** 5
- **Project period:** 1985-07-01 → 1996-11-30

## Primary source

NIH RePORTER: https://reporter.nih.gov/project-details/2198111

## Citation

> US National Institutes of Health, RePORTER application 2198111, GONADOTROPIN RECEPTORS OF THE CORPUS LUTEUM (5R01HD020869-08). Retrieved via MORVS 2026-10-25 from https://api.morvs.ai/grant/nih/2198111. Licensed CC0.

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