Characterization of Two Steroidogenic Cell Types in the Ovine Corpus Luteum1, 2

Abstract

A procedure which utilized elutriation was developed which permitted the separation of two populations of luteal cells from enzymatically dispersed corpora lutea taken from superovulated ewes on the 10–12th day of the estrous cycle. One population consisted of cells which measured 23–35 µm in diameter, while the other consisted of cells with a diameter of 12–22 µm. Preparations of both cell types were analyzed for rate of secretion of progesterone, responsiveness to secretagogues, and number of specific binding sites for luteinizing hormone/human chorionic gonadotropin (LH/hCG), and prostaglandins E2 and F2α (PGE2 and PGF2α).