CONTEXT Blood vessel stabilization is regulated by angiopoietins and important for angiogenesis in the corpus luteum. OBJECTIVE To study angiogenesis and blood vessel stabilization in the human corpus luteum, changes in expression of angiopoietin (Ang)-1, Ang-2, and their specific receptor, Tie-2, together with the number of blood vessels and pericytes were examined in the corpus luteum throu...

Luteinizing hormone (LH) stimulates steroidogenesis largely through a surge in cyclic AMP (cAMP). Steroidogenic rates are also critically dependent on the availability of cholesterol at mitochondrial sites of synthesis. This cholesterol is provided by cellular uptake of lipoproteins, mobilization of intracellular lipid, and de novo synthesis. Whether and how these pathways are coordinated by cA...

The luteal phase of all stimulated in vitro fertilization/intra-cytoplasmic sperm injection (IVF/ICSI) cycles is disrupted, which makes luteal phase support (LPS) mandatory. The cause of the disruption is thought to be the multifollicular development achieved during ovarian stimulation which results in supraphysiological concentrations of steroids se- creted by a high number of corpora lutea du...

Gonadotrophin-releasing hormone agonists (GnRHa) are widely used in in-vitro fertilization (IVF) for the prevention of a premature rise in luteinizing hormone (LH) concentrations. However, the administration of GnRHa during the follicular phase may also impair subsequent luteal function due to retarded recovery of pituitary gonadotrophin secretion. Therefore, luteal supplementation is generally...

Nitric oxide (NO) derived from inducible nitric oxide synthase (iNOS) is involved in cell apoptosis, which contributes to luteal regression and luteolysis in some species. In large domestic animals, no direct evidence for the relationship between NO and cell apoptosis in the process of corpus luteum regression is reported. The present study was conducted to investigate the localization of iNOS ...

Adrenocorticotropin (ACTH)-stimulated cholesterol transport to mitochondria has been quantitated in rat adrenals in vivo and in adrenal cell suspensions. The initial rate of transport (1.25 pg/mg of mitochondria/ min) is similar in vivo and in cell suspensions, but the mitochondrial cholesterol level reaches higher levels in uivo. ACTH stimulation of cholesterol transport into mitochondria when...

The very high intensity of exercise accompanied by mental stress triggers adaptive mechanisms associated with adrenocortical steroidogenesis. However, the association between steroidogenesis and in elite athletes is poorly studied. A significant obstacle to solving this complex task wide range (4–5 orders) steroid concentrations serum limitations related amount biological samples taken from pro...

AMA Kamińska M, Strzoda A, et al. Steroidogenesis inhibitors in the treatment of nonoperative Cushing’s syndrome – a literature review. Family Medicine & Primary Care Review. 2023;25(2):212-216. doi:10.5114/fmpcr.2023.127682. APA Kamińska, M., Strzoda, A., Sowiński, W., Zdybel, M. (2023). Review, 25(2), 212-216. https://doi.org/10.5114/fmpcr.2023.127682 Chicago Magdalena, Adam Anna Agata Wojcie...

Several pieces of evidence have been established which indicate that adenosine 3’ ,5’-monophosphate is the intracellular mediator of the action of adrenocorticotropic hormone (ACTH) on the adrenal cortex. 1. Increases in adrenal cyclic AMP concentrations induced by ACTH occurred before increases in the rate of adrenal steroidogenesis. 2. Increasing doses of ACTH produced increasing concentratio...

Masculinization depends on adequate production of testosterone by the fetal testis within a specific "masculinization programming window." Disorders resulting from subtle deficiencies in this process are common in humans, and environmental exposures/lifestyle could contribute causally because common therapeutic and environmental compounds can affect steroidogenesis. This evidence derives mainly...