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Biomedical subjects

A L Goodman

Publications and source records attributed to A L Goodman.

At least 37 records · Page 2Linked to original sources

Follicle dominance and ovarian asymmetry after luteectomy in rhesus monkeys.

Previous work demonstrated that asymmetrical ovarian activity accompanies morphological asymmetry during the ovarian cycle in rhesus and cynomolgus macaques. This study was designed to determine whether functional ovarian asymmetry could be used to detect the upcoming dominant follicle (DF) even before it was grossly visible. Revealing a latent DF in this manner would permit a better estimate of the time when dominance of the follicle selected to ovulate is attained. To accomplish this, rhesus monkeys were luteectomized at midluteal phase to synchronize subsequent follicle growth, and 4 or 8 days later either the ipsilateral or contralateral ovary was removed. Unilateral ablation at day 4 (when no DF is grossly apparent) of either ovary produced symmetrical responses: the interval from luteectomy (CLX) to the next luteinizing hormone (LH) surge was extended by about 4 days in both groups (P less than 0.01), i.e., from about 12.5 days to 16.7 +/- 1.6 and 17.0 +/- 1.5 days (mean +/- SE). In contrast, hemiovariectomy at day 8 produced markedly divergent asymmetrical responses. Removal of the ipsilateral ovary 8 days after CLX did not affect the timing of the next LH surge (13.2 +/- 0.6 days), which ordinarily occurs about 12.5 days after CLX alone. However, ablation of the contralateral ovary (bearing the next DF) on day 8 extended the interval from CLX to the next LH surge from about 12.5 to 26.6 +/- 1.3 days. These findings indicate that, during the normal ovarian cycle when menses occurs 2--4 days after luteolysis, the follicle destined to ovulate becomes dominant between the 2nd and 6th day and that attainment of dominance signals the completion of a follicle selection process that begins or resumes promptly after luteolysis.

Animals↗

Antifolliculogenic action of progesterone despite hypersecretion of FSH in monkeys.

To learn how progesterone (P) inhibits follicle growth during the luteal phase, we determined whether P will inhibit follicle growth when follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH) is secreted in large amounts, namely, after luteectomy (CLX) in monkeys with only one ovary. Second, a functional role for 17 alpha-hydroxyprogesterone (17OHP) was examined as a common mediator of the inhibition of folliculogenesis by the dominant follicle and corpus luteum. To accomplish the first goal, nine chronically hemiovarectomized monkeys were lutectomized chronically hemiovariectomized monkeys were luteectomized at midluteal phase. In five monkeys that received no steroid, the next preovulatory luteinizing hormone (LH) surge occurred 14.0 +/- 0.8 days (mean +/- SE) after CLX. In contrast, the next LH surge was delayed in four monkeys implanted for 10 days with Silastic capsules containing P and occurred 25.0 +/- 2.7 days after CLX, i.e., 14.8 +/- 2.7 days after the capsule removal. In both groups, FSH levels increased markedly after CLX to a comparable degree and duration; yet, only a single follicle ovulated in each monkey. To examine a potential inhibitory role for 17OHP, monkeys with two ovaries were luteectomized and received 1) no steroid, 2) 17OHP via Silastic capsules, or 3) P for 10 days after CLX. Progesterone replacement after CLX appeared to maintain 17OHP levels, which showed a transient decrease after CLX alone. As above, P delayed the next LH surge (25.4 +/- 1.3 vs. 15.0 +/- 0.6 days) despite comparable increases in serum FSH after CLX alone. Replacement at two levels of 17OHP did not delay the onset of menses (2-3 days post-CLX) or significantly delay the next LH surge 18.3 +/!- 1.9 or 20.8 +/- 3.4 vs. 15.0 +/- 0.6 days (P greater than 0.2) in monkeys CLX only. Whatever may be the mode of action of P, it appears that it is not mediated by peripheral conversion to 17OHP. These findings demonstrate that P at luteal phase levels can inhibit follicle growth culminating in ovulation even in the face of sustained, elevated levels of endogenous FSH. Because single ovulations occurred despite unambiguous and prolonged increments in serum FSH after CLX, the precise regulation of the ovulatory quota in this primate appears to be accomplished by means other than FSH alone.

Animals↗

Between-ovary interaction in the regulation of follicle growth, corpus luteum function, and gonadotropin secretion in the primate ovarian cycle. III. Temporal and spatial dissociation of folliculogenesis and negative feedback regulation of tonic gonadotropin release after luteectomy in rhesus monkeys.

This study was designed to examine effects of previous ovarian status on subsequent follicle growth and the role of between-ovary communication in the regulation of folliculogenesis and gonadotropin secretion during the primate ovarian cycle. Responses to luteectomy were compared in two groups of rhesus monkeys. In the first, follicle growth and corpus luteum function had been constrained chronically to a single ovary by hemiovariectomy performed 66--258 days earlier; the second group was composed of intact monkeys that underwent contralateral wedge resection at luteectomy. In each group, luteal ablation was followed by a prompt fall in serum progesterone levels, a premature onset of menses, and the next preovulatory gonadotropin surges 14.7 +/- 1.1 or 15.4 +/- 1.4 days later (mean +/- SE; P greater than 0.25). Although the patterns of circulating estradiol before and after ablation in each group were superimposable, luteectomy in monkeys lacking a contralateral ovary was followed by a large (2- to 4-fold) and prolonged (7--10 days) increase in serum FSH, whereas in monkeys with two ovaries, serum FSH levels exhibited only a small short-lived rise. The findings indicate that 1) prior chronic constraint of ovarian function to a single ovary did not alter the overall time course of new follicle growth culminating in ovulation after luteectomy; 2) the contralateral ovary provided the principal negative feedback regulation of gonadotropin secretion for some time after luteectomy even though it may not have been the exclusive site of new follicle growth; 3) whereas the ability of the luteectomized ovary to regulate tonic gonadotropin secretion was temporarily impaired, its ability to support the customary temporal pattern of follicle growth after luteal ablation was not; 4) some (contralateral) ovarian factor other than estradiol or progesterone apparently made a major contribution to the regulation of FSH secretion after luteectomy; and 5) folliculogenesis culminating in ovulation from a single follicle and the negative feedback regulation of tonic gonadotropin secretion in some circumstances may occur concurrently but separately on opposite ovaries or may occur at different times within the same ovary.

Animals↗

Menstrual cycle characteristics in chronically hemiovariectomized cynomolgus monkeys (Macaca fascicularis).

Circulating levels of LH, FSH, estradiol, and progesterone were measured by RIA in daily serum samples throughout the menstrual cycle in five regularly cycling, chronically hemiovariectomized, adult cynomolgus monkeys. The hormonal patterns, the lengths of the follicular and luteal phases, and the overall cycle length were nearly indistinguishable from those observed in intact cycling monkeys. The findings accord with the notions 1) that in intact monkeys, the contralateral ovary contributes little, if at all, to the regulation of the function or lifespan of the corpus luteum, and 2) that the corpus luteum after spontaneous luteolysis has no local residual effect inimical to new follicle growth.

Animals↗

Corpus luteum--conceptus--follicle relationships during the fertile cycle in rhesus monkeys: pregnancy maintenance despite early luteal removal.

To determine how early in pregnancy cyclic follicle growth is interrupted, 6 pregnant monkeys were luteectomized (CLX) on day 29 or 30 of the cycle (approximately 1 week after implantation) to abbreviate the fertile cycle to approximately the length of nonfertile cycles. Unexpectedly, 3 of 6 monkeys remained pregnant despite early removal of luteal support. In the remainder, which aborted, the next ovulation was delayed beyond the interval typically observed after CLX in nonfertile cycles. Two of 4 other monkeys ovariectomized on day 29 also maintained their pregnancies. Our findings demonstrate that: 1) in 5 of 10 monkeys, the conceptus could survive without luteal support within a week after luteal rescue, and 2) secretion(s) of the conceptus also contribute to an arrest of cyclic follicle growth early in pregnancy.

Abortion, Spontaneous↗

Post partum patterns of circulating FSH, LH, prolactin, estradiol, and progesterone in nonsuckling cynomolgus monkeys.

Circulating levels of FSH, LH, prolactin (Prl), estradiol (E), and progesterone (P) were determined by RIA in four intact and four monkeys luteectomized (CLX) at parturition in order to a) characterize the patterns of these hormones during the puerperium, and b) examine a possible inhibitory role of the "rejuvenated" corpus luteum (CL) on the resumption of follicle growth post partum. In both groups during the first four weeks, FSH and LH were at tonic levels typical of ovulatory cycles. Recurrent puerperal "surges" of FSH, but not LH, unaccompanied by increments in serum E, were observed in both intact and CLX monkeys. No consistent pattern of serum Prl was apparent. CLX was followed by a prompt fall in serum P levels, which were elevated above typical follicular phase levels into the second week post partum in intact monkeys. Menstrual cycles resumed 2-4 months after delivery. Hormonal patterns during the first menstrual cycle post partum were indistinguishable from those observed in pregravidic ovulatory cycles. The findings indicate that in nonsuckling cynomolgus monkeys a) although it secretes progesterone, the puerperal CL does not inhibit the resumption of the ovarian cycle post partum, b) the puerperal ovary is not absolutely refractory to gonadotropins, since initial trials with Pergonal + hCG stimulated ovarian function, and c) ovarian activity during the puerperium may be limited by factors other than the tonic supply of gonadotropins.

Animals↗

Menopause in rhesus monkeys: model for study of disorders in the human climacteric.

Hormonal and menstrual patterns were studied in rhesus monkeys 22 years of age or older. Sustained elevations of serum gonodotropins, low circulating levels of estradiol and progesterone, associated with oligomenorrhea or amneorrhea, were similar to changes reported for peri- and postmenopausal women. During the menopausal transition, pituitary FSH appears to be modulated independently of LH. These observations suggest that the rhesus monkey may be a suitable model for study of disorders afflicting women in the climacteric.

Animals↗

Regulation of folliculogenesis in the cycling rhesus monkey: selection of the dominant follicle.

To identify factors regulating the initiation of follicle growth in adult primates, the ovarian cycle of sexually mature rhesus monkeys was interrupted by surgical ablation of the preovulatory follicle or functioning corpus luteum (CL). In 10 of 10 animals, cautery of the largest visible follicle on Day 8-12 of the cycle blocked ovulation, and in all but one abolished the expected midcycle surges of gonadotropin secretion. In 8 monkeys of this group, surges of LH and FSH release occurred 12.4 +/- 0.9 days (d) (mean +/- SE) after cautery, coincident with elevations in serum estrogens, and succeeded by typical luteal phase patterns of circulating progesterone (P). No gonadotropin or estrogen surges were observed during the next 32 days of sampling in the remaining pair, despite visible new vesicular follicles. Removal of the CL in 5 of 5 monkeys 4-6 days after the midcycle LH surge was followed by a reduction in serum P to less than 0.25 ng/ml within 24 h and by the onset of menses within 3-4 days. After luteectomy in 4 of the 5 animals, preoperative levels of LH and FSH were maintained until 12.8 +/- 0.9 days, when typical surges of gonadotropin secretion occurred, followed by a normal luteal phase pattern of P. The fifth luteectomized monkey menstruated again 25 days after ablation without intervening surges of estrogen or gonadotropin release and did not ovulate. Sham follicle cautery did not block ipsilaternal ovulation or impair progesterone secretion by the CL in 2 of 2 monkeys. These observations indicate that, by the middle of the follicular phase, the follicle destined to ovulate had been selected, and that no other follicles were soon competent to mature. That the interval from ablation, at either phase of the cycle, until the next ovulation was the same indicates: a) that the prevailing ovarian steroidal milieu at ablation had no discernible differential effect on the time-course of resumed ovarian activity, and b) that midcycle surges of estrogen or gonadotropin secretion were not required either to initiate or synchronize subsequent follicle growth.

Animals↗

Bioassay of circulating luteinizing hormone in the rhesus monkey: comparison with radioimmunoassay during physiological changes.

The concentration of biologically active LH in rhesus monkey (Macaca mulatta) serum was measured by a highly sensitive bioassay based upon testosterone production by dispersed rat interstitial cells. The sensitivity of the in vitro bioassay was equal to or higher than that of radioimmunoassay, with detection limits of 0.1 mIU of human menopausal gonadotropin (hMG) or 10 ng of a rhesus pituitary gonadotropin preparation (LER-1909-2). Parallel dose-response curves were obtained for hMG and rhesus monkey pituitary gonadotropin. The method permits bioassy of LH in 20-100 micronl of serum from adult male monkeys, and from female monkeys during the follicular and luteal phases of the menstrual cycle. Bioactive LH concentrations could be assayed in 0.25 to 5 micronl of serum from mid-cycle, postmenopausal, and castrated female monkeys. Serum LH was undetectable in two hypophysectomized adult female monkeys and six intact immature animals, and was 13+/-6 (SD) mIU/ml in adult male monkeys. In adult females, follicular phase LH levels ranged from 17 to 169 mIU/ml, with a mean of 76+/-52 mIU/ml. The midcycle LH peak was 1738+/-742 mIU/ml and the luteal phase values ranged from 6-47 mIU/ml, with a mean of 35+/-5 mIU/ml. Serum LH concentrations ranged from 100 to 900 mIU/ml in two menopausal females, and from 590-1480 mIU/ml in castrated females. Treatment of castrated female monkeys with estrogen plus progesterone produced an initial two-fold rise in serum LH within 3 days, followed by a gradual decline to one-fourth to one-tenth of the initial levels after 10 days of treatment. Serum LH was suppressed to undetectable levels during the third week, and remained so for the duration of the 60-day treatment period. Bioactive serum LH levels were comparable to levels determined by radioimmunoassay during the follicular and luteal phases of the menstrual cycle, with increased bio-immunoratio at the midcycle peak. The concentrations of biologically active serum LH in rhesus monkeys were similar to those in the human female during the follicular and luteal phases of the menstrual cycle, and were higher at midcycle and after castration. Serum LH levels measured by the interstitial cell bioassay in the rhesus monkey showed appropriate physiological changes and responses to gonadal steroid administration. Furthermore, the bioassay did not detect the LH-like material measured by heterologous radioimmunoassay in the serum of hypophysectomized, immature and steroid-suppressed monkeys. Thus, the rat interstitial cell assay provides a sensitive and valid procedure for measurement of biologically active LH in the serum of these non-human primates.

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Systemic versus intraovarian progesterone replacement after luteectomy in rhesus monkeys: differential patterns of gonadotropins and follicle growth.

Similar to luteectomy (CLX) alone, systemic replacement of progesterone (P) to maintain circulating midluteal phase levels after CLX, and P withdrawal 10-11 days later were not accompanied by changes in serum FSH or LH levels. The next preovulatory gonadotropin surges, however, were delayed by about 10 days, relative to CLX alone. In contrast, a marked rise in serum FSH was observed after unilateral introvarian P replacement at CLX, even though accompanying patterns of serum estradiol (E2) and P (and the interval to the next LH surge) were not different from those after CLX alone. Our findings indicate that a) P is the principal luteal factor inhibiting new follicle growth, b) P inhibition may be exerted, at least in part, on the ovaries directly, and c) an ovarian factor other than P or E2 may contribute to the regulation of FSH, and perhaps LH, secretion in this primate.

Animals↗

Ovarian regulation of postcoital gonadotropin release in the rabbit: reexamination of a functional role for 20 alphadihydroprogesterone.

In the rabbit, it has proposed that an ovarian progestin, 20 alpha-dihydroprogesterone (20alphaP), released at mating, is essential for a normal postcoital LH surge. However, we measured plasma levels of LH and 20alphaP after mating in rabbits and observed that the frequency, magnitude and time-course of changes in circulating levels of 20alphaP seemed inappropiate to account for the rapid and major surge of LH secretion. This prompted us to re-evalute the role of the ovary in regulating postcoital LH secretion. In chronically ovariectomized (greater than 30 days) does pretreated with estrogen, mating induced a normal LH surge in only 1 of 10 animals, indicating that an ovarian product in addition to estrogen is required for a normal postcoital LH surge. However, when 20alphaP was injected soon after mating in chronically ovariectomized does pretreated with estrogen, only 2 of 9 displayed normal LH surges; this proportion is not different from that (1/10) observed with estrogen treatment alone. To demonstrate that the estrogen treatment, which produced supraphysiologic plasma estradiol levels, did not itself block LH release, 6 intact anestrus females were treated with the same estrogen regimen. Estrus was induced in 5 and each displayed a large post-coital LH surge and ovulated. As a final test of the 20alphaP hypothesis, 5 spontaneously estrous does were ovariectomized within 15 min post coitum to abolish acute increases in circulating ovarian hormones. Three animals released LH in amounts and temporal pattern indistinguishable from intact estrous does. A fourth released smaller amounts of LH. Two of 4 sham-operated does also had normal LH surges. These findings indicate that ovarian hormones are required before mating to support the capacity of the LH secretory mechanism to respond to coitus. Chronic alteration in the hormonal milieu by ovariectomy appears to produce a change in the hypothalamo-hypophysial complex that is not reversed by estrogen, alone. More importantly, these results demonstrate clearly that neither 20alphaP nor any other ovarian hormone is required post coitum, at least after 15 min, for normal LH release.

20-alpha-Dihydroprogesterone↗