Recent advancements in corpus luteum development, function, maintenance and regression: Forum introduction
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BioMed Central
Open Access
Editorial
Recent advancements in corpus luteum development, function, maintenance and regression: Forum introduction John S Davis1 and Bo R Rueda*2 Address: 1Forum Coordinators, Olson Center for Women's Health, Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, University of Nebraska Medical Center, Omaha, Nebraska 68198; VA Medical Center, Omaha, Nebraska 68105, USA and 2Vincent Center for Reproductive Biology, Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Massachusetts General Hospital, Boston, Massachusetts 02114, USA Email: John S Davis - [email protected]; Bo R Rueda* - [email protected] * Corresponding author
Published: 10 November 2003 Reproductive Biology and Endocrinology 2003, 1:86
Received: 23 July 2003 Accepted: 10 November 2003
This article is available from: http://www.rbej.com/content/1/1/86 © 2003 Davis and Rueda; licensee BioMed Central Ltd. This is an Open Access article: verbatim copying and redistribution of this article are permitted in all media for any purpose, provided this notice is preserved along with the article's original URL.
The corpus luteum is a dynamic tissue whose cellular composition is traced to the remnants of the ovarian follicle, neovascularization and infiltration of immune cells. The corpus luteum undergoes dramatic morphological and functional changes throughout its lifespan. Functionally the corpus luteum is responsible for the provision of progesterone in support of pregnancy. Depending on the species and the physiological state, the corpus luteum lifespan can last from less than a day to almost a year. During this time, whether it is during the development, maintenance, or regression stage the corpus luteum function is mediated by a number of influences including steroids, growth factors, gonadotropins, prostaglandins, cytokines, and peptide hormones. The variable expression of theses factors and their receptors control the fate of the corpus luteum. The present series of reviews was designed to address some of these topics while focusing primarily on recent advances that have either not been covered or covered only superficially in recent reviews, and on areas of corpus luteum function that have changed considerably since they were originally addressed. In addition, the authors that contributed to this series of reviews were encouraged to identify areas that were controversial, to recognize differences among species, to convey a sense of direction that research efforts were taking, and finally to suggest areas for new research opportunities that will clarify or extend our knowledge of corpus luteum function.
tion and regression of the corpus luteum. The initial review provides evidence gained from the phenotypic analysis of transgenic mice that has revealed unexpected and novel actions of particular molecules required for ovulation and corpus luteum function. The next set of reviews conveys the critical nature of angiogenesis for the overall development and function of the corpus luteum. The reviews also highlight the critical nature the endothelia
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