Korean J Anat.  2007 Sep;40(3):171-177.

An Immunohistochemical Study on the Macrophages in the Developing Corpora Lutea of the Rat

• Kim WS
• Kim SI
• Son SK
• Yang YS
• Cho GJ

Abstract

Within the corpus luteum, macrophages exert luteotropic and luteolytic actions through secretion of TNF-alpha. However, the mechanisms of luteotropic actions on the development and maintenance of pregnant and nonpregnant corpora lutea are thoroughly unknown.In this experiment, TUNEL, macrophage, and TNF-alpha immunohistochemistry on the corpora lutea of pregnant and nonpregnant rats (Sprague-Dawley strain) were carried out to reveal the role of macrophages in the developing corpora lutea. The results were as follows; 1) In the nonpregnant corpora lutea, the number of macrophages was increased significantly, and the degree of ED1-immunoreactivity of macrophages was increased moderately. But lutein cells showed low-degree TNF-alpha-immunoreactivity. 2) In the pregnant corpora lutea, the number of macrophages was decreased significantly, and the degree of ED1- immunoreactivity of macrophages was low. But lutein cells showed moderate-degree TNF-alpha-immunoreactivity. Based on the above results, it was considered that macrophages in the nonpregnant corpora lutea exert phagocytic action mainly, and the macrophages in the pregnant corpora lutea exert TNF-alpha-secreting action to maintain the structure and function of lutein cells.

Keyword

Corpus luteum; Macrophage; TNF-alpha; TUNEL; Immunohistochemistry

MeSH Terms

Animals
Corpus Luteum*
Female
Immunohistochemistry
In Situ Nick-End Labeling
Luteal Cells
Macrophages*
Rats*
Tumor Necrosis Factor-alpha
Tumor Necrosis Factor-alpha