CHANGES IN CONCENTRATION OF PROSTAGLANDIN F AND STEROIDS IN HUMAN CORPORA LUTEA IN RELATION TO GROWTH OF THE CORPUS LUTEUM AND LUTEOLYSIS

Abstract

Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, University of Sydney, NS. W. 2006, Australia (Received 13 July 1976) Prostaglandin F2α(PGF2α) secreted from the uterus exerts a luteolytic effect on the corpus luteum in a number of species of non-pregnant mammals (see review of Labhsetwar, 1974). This luteolytic mechanism has not been demonstrated in non-pregnant women (Lyneham, Korda, Shutt, Smith & Shearman, 1975). Nor were Leader, Bygdeman, Cekan, Diczfalusy, Guerrero, Martin & Wiqvist (1975) able to demonstrate an accelerative effect of intra-uterine 15 (S) 15-methyl PGF2α or an inhibitory effect of oral indomethacin on post-abortion luteolysis in women in early pregnancy. The presence of PGF2α receptors however, in human corpora lutea (Powell, Hammarström, Samuelsson & Sjöberg, 1974) suggested the possibility of a local production of PGF2α within the ovary being responsible for luteolysis in women, and Korda, Shutt, Smith, Shearman & Lyneham (1975) were able to obtain a transient luteolysis when 0·5–1·0 mg