The Biochemistry of the Corpus Luteum

Abstract

A broad review of present knowledge of the biochemistry of the corpus luteum is presented. The true endocrine support for complete function of the corpus luteum is highly complex with no common mechanism in all species. Progesterone is formed by all species studied (e.g. humans rabbits sow sheep mare) but there is a wide range of variability in overall multiple steroidal products. This is probably the effect of genetic selection on evolutionary development within each species for the support of the corpus luteum and early pregnancy. The role of luteinizing hormone prolactin and estrogen in the regulation of the function of the corpus luteum and the synthesis of microsomal enzymes of steroidogenesis and mitochondrial enzymes is discussed.