Expression of LGR7 in the primate corpus luteum implicates the corpus luteum as a relaxin target organ

Priya B. Maseelall, Aimee Seungdamrong, Gerson Weiss, Andrea S. Wojtczuk, Robert Donnelly, Richard L. Stouffer, Laura T. Goldsmith

Research output: Chapter in Book/Report/Conference proceedingConference contribution

8 Scopus citations

Abstract

In women, the corpus luteum is the source of circulating relaxin. No previous studies have addressed whether the corpus luteum is also a relaxin target organ. We determined relaxin receptor LGR7 mRNA expression in human term pregnancy corpora lutea and nonhuman primate corpora lutea obtained during the menstrual cycle. Real-time reverse transcription-PCR demonstrated the expression of LGR7 mRNA in both human and rhesus monkey corpora lutea. Rhesus monkey corpora lutea were obtained from naturally cycling animals following documented luteinizing hormone (LH) surges at early, mid-, mid-late, and late luteal phases. Luteal expression of LGR7 mRNA did not show temporal variation. Since the primate corpus luteum is LH dependent, we assessed LGR7 mRNA expression in corpora lutea from rhesus monkeys treated with a gonadotropin-releasing hormone (GnRH) antagonist, which significantly suppressed pituitary LH levels. GnRH antagonist treatment, which also inhibits both progesterone and relaxin production, resulted in a fivefold increase in luteal LGR7 mRNA expression. These data suggest that luteal LGR7 mRNA expression may be regulated by relaxin and/or LH and that the primate corpus luteum is a target organ for relaxin.

Original languageEnglish (US)
Title of host publicationRelaxin and Related Peptides Fifth International Conference
PublisherBlackwell Publishing Inc.
Pages147-151
Number of pages5
ISBN (Print)9781573317214
DOIs
StatePublished - Apr 2009
Externally publishedYes

Publication series

NameAnnals of the New York Academy of Sciences
Volume1160
ISSN (Print)0077-8923
ISSN (Electronic)1749-6632

Keywords

  • Corpus luteum
  • LGR7
  • RXFP1
  • Relaxin
  • Relaxin receptor
  • Rhesus monkey

ASJC Scopus subject areas

  • Neuroscience(all)
  • Biochemistry, Genetics and Molecular Biology(all)
  • History and Philosophy of Science

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