Stocco Carlos, Telleria Carlos, Gibori Geula
Department of Obstetrics, Gynecology and Reproductive Science, Yale University School of Medicine, New Haven, CT 06510, USA.
Endocr Rev. 2007 Feb;28(1):117-49. doi: 10.1210/er.2006-0022. Epub 2006 Oct 31.
The corpus luteum (CL) is one of the few endocrine glands that forms from the remains of another organ and whose function and survival are limited in scope and time. The CL is the site of rapid remodeling, growth, differentiation, and death of cells originating from granulosa, theca, capillaries, and fibroblasts. The apparent raison d'etre of the CL is the production of progesterone, and all the structural and functional features of this gland are geared toward this end. Because of its unique importance for successful pregnancies, the mammals have evolved a complex series of checks and balances that maintains progesterone at appropriate levels throughout gestation. The formation, maintenance, regression, and steroidogenesis of the CL are among the most significant and closely regulated events in mammalian reproduction. During pregnancy, the fate of the CL depends on the interplay of ovarian, pituitary, and placental regulators. At the end of its life span, the CL undergoes a process of regression leading to its disappearance from the ovary and allowing the initiation of a new cycle. The generation of transgenic, knockout and knockin mice and the development of innovative technologies have revealed a novel role of several molecules in the reprogramming of granulosa cells into luteal cells and in the hormonal and molecular control of the function and demise of the CL. The current review highlights our knowledge on these key molecular events in rodents.
黄体（CL）是少数几个由另一器官的残余组织形成的内分泌腺之一，其功能和存活在范围和时间上都受到限制。黄体是源自颗粒细胞、卵泡膜细胞、毛细血管和成纤维细胞的细胞进行快速重塑、生长、分化和死亡的场所。黄体存在的明显理由是产生孕酮，并且该腺体的所有结构和功能特征都朝着这个目的发展。由于其对成功妊娠具有独特的重要性，哺乳动物已经进化出一系列复杂的制衡机制，在整个妊娠期将孕酮维持在适当水平。黄体的形成、维持、退化和类固醇生成是哺乳动物繁殖中最重要且受到严格调控的事件之一。在怀孕期间，黄体的命运取决于卵巢、垂体和胎盘调节因子之间的相互作用。在其寿命结束时，黄体经历一个退化过程，导致其从卵巢中消失，并允许新周期的开始。转基因、基因敲除和基因敲入小鼠的产生以及创新技术的发展揭示了几种分子在将颗粒细胞重编程为黄体细胞以及对黄体功能和消亡的激素和分子控制中的新作用。本综述重点介绍了我们对啮齿动物中这些关键分子事件的认识。
