Made available in DSpace on 2014-06-11T19:32:58Z (GMT). No. of bitstreams: 0 Previous issue date: 2010-01-20Bitstream added on 2014-06-13T20:04:47Z : No. of bitstreams: 1 safilho_og_dr_botfmvz.pdf: 780633 bytes, checksum: a3331bb4d14fe517521b9c8184662c1e (MD5) / Fundação de Amparo à Pesquisa do Estado de São Paulo (FAPESP) / Universidade Estadual Paulista (UNESP) / O objetivo desse experimento foi avaliar a histomorfometria uterina, a expressão gênica endometrial de ER, PR, OTR, COX-1 e COX-2, e a expressão protéica de ER e PR (porcentagem de núcleos positivos e intensidade de coloração dos núcleos positivos, em unidades arbitrárias [UA], à imunohistoquímica) em vacas em anestro ao longo do desenvolvimento da onda folicular. Vacas Nelore primíparas em anestro pós-parto foram avaliadas diariamente por ultrassonografia ovariana, visando acompanhar o desenvolvimento folicular, e submetidas à histerectomia quando o folículo dominante atingiu o diâmetro de 7,0 mm (FP; n = 4), 8,5 mm (FM; n = 4) ou 10,0 mm (FG; n = 4). Um grupo adicional (PRO; n = 4) consistiu em vacas submetidas a remoção de bezerros (RB; 48 h) quando o folículo dominante atingiu o diâmetro de 9,5 mm e histerectomizadas ao final da RB. Os dados foram analisados pelo PROC GLM do programa SAS. A concentração sérica de estradiol no dia da histerectomia foi maior nas vacas do grupo PRO em relação aos demais grupos (FP: 0,7 pg/mL; FM: 0,8 pg/mL; FG: 1,1 pg/mL; PRO: 2,9 pg/mL; P < 0,05). Não houve efeito de grupo (P > 0,1) nas variáveis histomorfométricas e na expressão gênica endometrial de ER, PR, OTR, COX-1 e COX-2. As vacas do grupo PRO apresentaram maior intensidade de coloração dos núcleos positivos para ER nas células epiteliais glandulares superficiais (FP: 75,9 UA; FM: 75,2 UA; FG: 71,5 UA; PRO: 88,5 UA), intensidade de coloração dos núcleos positivos para PR nas células epiteliais glandulares profundas (FP: 70,2 UA; FM: 73,1 UA; FG: 69,2 UA; PRO: 85,7 UA) e porcentagem de núcleos positivos para PR no estroma subepitelial superficial (FP: 58,2%; FM: 58,0%; FG: 57,3%; PRO: 63,4) em relação às vacas dos demais grupos (P < 0,05). As vacas dos grupos FG e PRO apresentaram maior porcentagem de núcleos positivos para ER no estroma... / The objective of this study was to evaluate the uterine histomorphometry, gene expression of ER, PR, OTR, COX-1 and COX-2, and protein expressions of ER and PR (percentage of positive nuclei and staining intensity of positive nuclei, in arbitrary units [AU], at immunohistochemistry) in anestrous cows throughout the development of a follicular wave. Primiparous postpartum anestrous Nelore cows were evaluated daily by ovarian ultrasonography and submitted to hysterectomy when the dominant follicle reached the diameter of 7.0 mm (FP; n = 4), 8.5 mm (FM; n = 4), or 10.0 mm (FG; n = 4). An additional group (PRO; n = 4) consisted in cows submitted to temporary weaning (TW; 48 h) when the dominant follicle reached 9.5 mm and hysterectomized at the end of TW. Data were analyzed by PROC GLM of SAS. Serum concentration of estradiol at the day of hysterectomy was greater in cows from PRO group than in cows from the other groups (FP: 0.7 pg/mL; FM: 0.8 pg/mL; FG: 1.1 pg/mL; PRO: 2.9 pg/mL; P < 0.05). There were no effects of group (P > 0.1) on histomorphometrical variables and on endometrial gene expression of ER, PR, OTR, COX-1, and COX-2. Cows from PRO group had greater staining intensity of ER-positive nuclei in shallow glandular epithelium (FP: 75.9 AU; FM: 75.2 AU; FG: 71.5 AU; PRO: 88.5 AU), staining intensity of PR-positive nuclei in deep glandular epithelium (FP: 70.2 AU; FM: 73.1 AU; FG: 69.2 AU; PRO: 85.7 AU), and greater percentage of PR-positive nuclei in shallow subepithelial stroma (FP: 58.2%; FM: 58.0%; FG: 57.3%; PRO: 63.4%) than cows from the other groups (P < 0.05). Cows from FG and PRO groups had a greater percentage of ER-positive nuclei in deep subepithelial stroma than cows from the other groups (FP: 76.0%; FM: 76.4%; FG: 83.6%; PRO: 86.1%; P < 0.05). In the other endometrial areas, the protein expressions of ER and PR were similar among groups. We concluded that in anestrous... (Complete abstract click electronic access below)

Anti-oestrogens act via the oestrogen receptor whether they compete with the hormone for binding to the receptor and therefore interfere with DNA binding or inhibit transcriptional activity. These receptors exist as a large 85 complex and/or a small 45 form on sucrose density gradients. High performance ion-exchange chromatography has confirmed that the oestrogen and progestin complex is present in various isoforms. Progestin receptor heterogeneity could be influenced by the presence of oestrogens and anti-oestrogens in the culture media of hormone-dependent neoplastic cells. Cell culture methods offer the opportunity to test effects of specified components in repeated experiments on a homogeneous population of cells. MCF-7 and T47-D human breast cancer cell lines were conditioned to grow in a serum-free environment. There was no difference in cell proliferation rates, nor in their oestrogen or progestin receptor levels when compared to the same cells grown in conventional media. Receptors were present mainly in the large molecular 85 form. Both the MCF-7 and T47-D breast cancer cells showed an increase in proliferation rate with the addition of oestrogen or diethylstilbestrol. There was a corresponding loss of progestin receptor levels and an alteration in the high performance ion-exchange isoforms. Flow cytometry confirmed differences in the S-phase components of the cells following exposure to oestrogens. The proliferation rates of the cell lines as well as their progestin receptor levels decreased when treated with tamoxifen or the hydroxylated tamoxifen. There were marked changes on high performance ion-exchange chromatography profiles. DNA ploidy and S-phase showed signs of toxicity and there was an increase in cellular debris. The MCF-7 and T47-D human breast cancer cell line retained response to antioestrogen saturation.

O objetivo deste trabalho foi verificar a presença e a localização de receptores para hormônios esteróides e gonadotróficos, através da técnica de imunohistoquímica, pelo método de peroxidase-antiperoxidase (PAP), nos diferentes tecidos que compõe o trato genital da égua e a variação de reatividade destes receptores durante o ciclo estral e no anestro fisiológico. Também se objetivou verificar se há diferença de reatividade em éguas com e sem endometrose. Foram coletadas amostras de útero, cérvice e oviduto, de 41 éguas sem raça definida e com histórico reprodutivo desconhecido, em um abatedouro. Quinze éguas se encontravam em estro, dezoito em diestro e oito éguas em anestro. Concluiu-se que a intensidade e a distribuição da coloração para os receptores de estrógeno (RE), progesterona (RP) e hormônio luteinizante (RLH) variaram de acordo com o tipo de célula e o estágio do ciclo estral. Nas amostras de endométrio observou-se imunorreatividade alta no epitélio luminal para RE e RP tanto no estro quanto no diestro; o epitélio glandular, estroma e miométrio mostraram reatividade moderada para os dois receptores durante as duas fases. Durante o anestro os resultados foram semelhantes aos encontrados durante a fase cíclica. Na avaliação da reatividade para RLH, durante o estro e diestro, o epitélio luminal mostrou reatividade de fraca a moderada, mas no diestro houve maior reatividade média. O epitélio glandular apresentou menor reatividade do que o luminal. No miométrio a coloração foi fraca durante todo o ciclo. Durante o anestro a reatividade foi fraca no epitélio luminal, ausente em quase todas as amostras no epitélio glandular e de fraca a ausente no miométrio. Neste experimento, não foi observada diferença significativa de reatividade entre os endométrios com e sem endometrose, mas as áreas afetadas mostraram coloração assíncrona para RE, RP e RLH. Na cérvice, foi observada imunorreatividade moderada a alta para RE e RP no epitélio luminal, no estroma e no músculo. A intensidade de coloração das células epiteliais e musculares variou pouco entre o estro e o diestro, mas durante o anestro houve maior reatividade no tecido muscular e no estroma. Foi observada reatividade para RLH no epitélio e camada muscular, sem variação significativa nas fases do ciclo. A intensidade de coloração foi de fraca a moderada no epitélio e fraca na camada muscular. No oviduto, observou-se imunorreatividade para RE e RP nos três tecidos, durante a fase cíclica e o anestro. No epitélio, os valores encontrados foram de moderados a altos, sem variação significativa nas três fases. A coloração das células epiteliais do oviduto foi nitidamente irregular, com o núcleo muito corado no que parecem ser células secretoras e pouco corado ou sem coloração nas células ciliadas, refletindo provavelmente as diferentes funções das células epiteliais neste órgão. No estroma a reatividade foi moderada durante a fase luteal, mostrando reatividade mais alta no estro e no anestro. A camada muscular apresentou reatividade máxima para RE no estro e no diestro. A reatividade para RLH no epitélio luminal foi de fraca a moderada durante todo o ciclo. No músculo também foi observada reatividade, porém bem mais fraca do que no epitélio. Durante o anestro somente três das oito amostras apresentaram reatividade no tecido muscular. No diestro foi observada maior reatividade do que no estro. Os resultados do presente estudo evidenciam, pela primeira vez, a presença de receptores para LH nos diferentes tecidos do trato reprodutor extragonadal da égua. Embora existam relatos da expressão e localização de RE e RP no endométrio equino, esta é a primeira vez que se utiliza a técnica de imunohistoquímica para localizar estes receptores na cérvice e no oviduto desta espécie. Foi observada variação individual bastante acentuada entre as amostras, em uma mesma fase cíclica. Provavelmente estes resultados sejam o reflexo da variação entre o dia do ciclo em que os animais se encontravam, bem como da complexidade dos mecanismos envolvidos na presença desses receptores. Os achados deste estudo indicam que tanto os hormônios gonadais quanto o LH atuam por meio de seus receptores nos diferentes tecidos do trato reprodutivo da égua, podendo servir para a elaboração de novas estratégias para melhorar a eficiência reprodutiva nesta espécie. / The aim of this study was to demonstrate the presence and localization of gonadotropic and steroid hormone receptors, in different tissues of the mare genital tract and the different reactivity to these receptors during the endometrial cycle and physiologic anestrus. Another objective was to compare the reactivity to theses receptors in mares with and without endometrosis. Immunohistochemistry was performed using the peroxidase anti-peroxidase technique (PAP). Uterus, cervix and oviduct of 41 criollo mares were collected in an abattoir. There was variation in the intensity of the staining and distribution for estrogen receptors (PR), progesterone receptors (PR) and luteinizing hormone receptors (LHR) with the endometrial cycle and different tissues. The endometrial surface epithelial cells were stained strongly for ER and PR in the estrous and dioestrus; glandular epithelial cells, stromal cells and smooth muscle cells of the myometrium had moderate staining for ER and PR during these two phases and in anestrus too. The immunoreactive score for LHR in the surface epithelial cells during endometrial cycle was weak to moderate but, in general, strong staining was observed in dioestrus. More weak staining intensity was observed in the glandular epithelial cells than luminal epithelial cells. Smooth muscle cells of the myometrium showed weak staining for LHR throughout the endometrial cycle. During the anestrus, the immunoreactivity score was weak in the surface epithelial cells. In general, the glandular epithelium was not stained. Myometrium cells were weak to not staining for LHR, in this phase. In this study there was no significant difference in immunoreactive score for ER, PR and LHR in endometrium with or without endometrosis but fibrotic glands showed different expression patterns of ER, PR and LHR, could evidence for functionally glandular maldifferentiation in endometrosis. The cervical epithelial surface, stromal cells and smooth muscle cells were moderate to strongly staining for ER and PR, with little variation throughout the endometrial cycle but the immunorectivity was strongest during the anestrus in muscular and stromal cells. Surface epithelial cells of cervix were weak to moderate stained for LHR; smooth muscle cells showed weak staining for these receptors. There was no variation during cycle. In the oviduct, epithelial, stromal and muscle cells showed reactivity for RE and RP, during cycle and anestrus. Epithelial cells were moderate to strongly staining for these receptors, with evident irregularity in different types of cells. Apparently ciliated epithelial cells were stained but the intensity was much less than that observed in nonciliated epithelial cells, probably reflecting different functions of these cells. Stromal cells showed moderate staining during dioestrus and strongest reactivity in estrous and anestrus; muscle cells showed strong reactivity for ER throughout the cycle. The reactivity for LHR was weak to moderate throughout the cycle in the epithelial cells and weak in the muscle cells. During anestrus only three strains of muscle cells showed reactivity for LHR. In dioestrus the intensity was strongest. These findings evidence for the firs time the presence for LHR in extra-gonadal reproductive organs of mare. Though there were reports of ER and PR expression in equine endometrium, this is the first report of localization of these receptors in cervix and oviduct of mare using immunohistochemistry. It was found marked individual variation among the strains. These results probably were caused by the variation among the day of cycle and the complexity of mechanisms involved in the presence of these receptors. The findings of the present study allow us to infer that the ovarian steroid hormones nad LH function through their receptors in different tissues of mare reproductive tract, can help us to elaborate new strategies to improve the reproductive efficiency in this specie.

O objetivo deste trabalho foi verificar a presença e a localização de receptores para hormônios esteróides e gonadotróficos, através da técnica de imunohistoquímica, pelo método de peroxidase-antiperoxidase (PAP), nos diferentes tecidos que compõe o trato genital da égua e a variação de reatividade destes receptores durante o ciclo estral e no anestro fisiológico. Também se objetivou verificar se há diferença de reatividade em éguas com e sem endometrose. Foram coletadas amostras de útero, cérvice e oviduto, de 41 éguas sem raça definida e com histórico reprodutivo desconhecido, em um abatedouro. Quinze éguas se encontravam em estro, dezoito em diestro e oito éguas em anestro. Concluiu-se que a intensidade e a distribuição da coloração para os receptores de estrógeno (RE), progesterona (RP) e hormônio luteinizante (RLH) variaram de acordo com o tipo de célula e o estágio do ciclo estral. Nas amostras de endométrio observou-se imunorreatividade alta no epitélio luminal para RE e RP tanto no estro quanto no diestro; o epitélio glandular, estroma e miométrio mostraram reatividade moderada para os dois receptores durante as duas fases. Durante o anestro os resultados foram semelhantes aos encontrados durante a fase cíclica. Na avaliação da reatividade para RLH, durante o estro e diestro, o epitélio luminal mostrou reatividade de fraca a moderada, mas no diestro houve maior reatividade média. O epitélio glandular apresentou menor reatividade do que o luminal. No miométrio a coloração foi fraca durante todo o ciclo. Durante o anestro a reatividade foi fraca no epitélio luminal, ausente em quase todas as amostras no epitélio glandular e de fraca a ausente no miométrio. Neste experimento, não foi observada diferença significativa de reatividade entre os endométrios com e sem endometrose, mas as áreas afetadas mostraram coloração assíncrona para RE, RP e RLH. Na cérvice, foi observada imunorreatividade moderada a alta para RE e RP no epitélio luminal, no estroma e no músculo. A intensidade de coloração das células epiteliais e musculares variou pouco entre o estro e o diestro, mas durante o anestro houve maior reatividade no tecido muscular e no estroma. Foi observada reatividade para RLH no epitélio e camada muscular, sem variação significativa nas fases do ciclo. A intensidade de coloração foi de fraca a moderada no epitélio e fraca na camada muscular. No oviduto, observou-se imunorreatividade para RE e RP nos três tecidos, durante a fase cíclica e o anestro. No epitélio, os valores encontrados foram de moderados a altos, sem variação significativa nas três fases. A coloração das células epiteliais do oviduto foi nitidamente irregular, com o núcleo muito corado no que parecem ser células secretoras e pouco corado ou sem coloração nas células ciliadas, refletindo provavelmente as diferentes funções das células epiteliais neste órgão. No estroma a reatividade foi moderada durante a fase luteal, mostrando reatividade mais alta no estro e no anestro. A camada muscular apresentou reatividade máxima para RE no estro e no diestro. A reatividade para RLH no epitélio luminal foi de fraca a moderada durante todo o ciclo. No músculo também foi observada reatividade, porém bem mais fraca do que no epitélio. Durante o anestro somente três das oito amostras apresentaram reatividade no tecido muscular. No diestro foi observada maior reatividade do que no estro. Os resultados do presente estudo evidenciam, pela primeira vez, a presença de receptores para LH nos diferentes tecidos do trato reprodutor extragonadal da égua. Embora existam relatos da expressão e localização de RE e RP no endométrio equino, esta é a primeira vez que se utiliza a técnica de imunohistoquímica para localizar estes receptores na cérvice e no oviduto desta espécie. Foi observada variação individual bastante acentuada entre as amostras, em uma mesma fase cíclica. Provavelmente estes resultados sejam o reflexo da variação entre o dia do ciclo em que os animais se encontravam, bem como da complexidade dos mecanismos envolvidos na presença desses receptores. Os achados deste estudo indicam que tanto os hormônios gonadais quanto o LH atuam por meio de seus receptores nos diferentes tecidos do trato reprodutivo da égua, podendo servir para a elaboração de novas estratégias para melhorar a eficiência reprodutiva nesta espécie. / The aim of this study was to demonstrate the presence and localization of gonadotropic and steroid hormone receptors, in different tissues of the mare genital tract and the different reactivity to these receptors during the endometrial cycle and physiologic anestrus. Another objective was to compare the reactivity to theses receptors in mares with and without endometrosis. Immunohistochemistry was performed using the peroxidase anti-peroxidase technique (PAP). Uterus, cervix and oviduct of 41 criollo mares were collected in an abattoir. There was variation in the intensity of the staining and distribution for estrogen receptors (PR), progesterone receptors (PR) and luteinizing hormone receptors (LHR) with the endometrial cycle and different tissues. The endometrial surface epithelial cells were stained strongly for ER and PR in the estrous and dioestrus; glandular epithelial cells, stromal cells and smooth muscle cells of the myometrium had moderate staining for ER and PR during these two phases and in anestrus too. The immunoreactive score for LHR in the surface epithelial cells during endometrial cycle was weak to moderate but, in general, strong staining was observed in dioestrus. More weak staining intensity was observed in the glandular epithelial cells than luminal epithelial cells. Smooth muscle cells of the myometrium showed weak staining for LHR throughout the endometrial cycle. During the anestrus, the immunoreactivity score was weak in the surface epithelial cells. In general, the glandular epithelium was not stained. Myometrium cells were weak to not staining for LHR, in this phase. In this study there was no significant difference in immunoreactive score for ER, PR and LHR in endometrium with or without endometrosis but fibrotic glands showed different expression patterns of ER, PR and LHR, could evidence for functionally glandular maldifferentiation in endometrosis. The cervical epithelial surface, stromal cells and smooth muscle cells were moderate to strongly staining for ER and PR, with little variation throughout the endometrial cycle but the immunorectivity was strongest during the anestrus in muscular and stromal cells. Surface epithelial cells of cervix were weak to moderate stained for LHR; smooth muscle cells showed weak staining for these receptors. There was no variation during cycle. In the oviduct, epithelial, stromal and muscle cells showed reactivity for RE and RP, during cycle and anestrus. Epithelial cells were moderate to strongly staining for these receptors, with evident irregularity in different types of cells. Apparently ciliated epithelial cells were stained but the intensity was much less than that observed in nonciliated epithelial cells, probably reflecting different functions of these cells. Stromal cells showed moderate staining during dioestrus and strongest reactivity in estrous and anestrus; muscle cells showed strong reactivity for ER throughout the cycle. The reactivity for LHR was weak to moderate throughout the cycle in the epithelial cells and weak in the muscle cells. During anestrus only three strains of muscle cells showed reactivity for LHR. In dioestrus the intensity was strongest. These findings evidence for the firs time the presence for LHR in extra-gonadal reproductive organs of mare. Though there were reports of ER and PR expression in equine endometrium, this is the first report of localization of these receptors in cervix and oviduct of mare using immunohistochemistry. It was found marked individual variation among the strains. These results probably were caused by the variation among the day of cycle and the complexity of mechanisms involved in the presence of these receptors. The findings of the present study allow us to infer that the ovarian steroid hormones nad LH function through their receptors in different tissues of mare reproductive tract, can help us to elaborate new strategies to improve the reproductive efficiency in this specie.

O objetivo deste trabalho foi verificar a presença e a localização de receptores para hormônios esteróides e gonadotróficos, através da técnica de imunohistoquímica, pelo método de peroxidase-antiperoxidase (PAP), nos diferentes tecidos que compõe o trato genital da égua e a variação de reatividade destes receptores durante o ciclo estral e no anestro fisiológico. Também se objetivou verificar se há diferença de reatividade em éguas com e sem endometrose. Foram coletadas amostras de útero, cérvice e oviduto, de 41 éguas sem raça definida e com histórico reprodutivo desconhecido, em um abatedouro. Quinze éguas se encontravam em estro, dezoito em diestro e oito éguas em anestro. Concluiu-se que a intensidade e a distribuição da coloração para os receptores de estrógeno (RE), progesterona (RP) e hormônio luteinizante (RLH) variaram de acordo com o tipo de célula e o estágio do ciclo estral. Nas amostras de endométrio observou-se imunorreatividade alta no epitélio luminal para RE e RP tanto no estro quanto no diestro; o epitélio glandular, estroma e miométrio mostraram reatividade moderada para os dois receptores durante as duas fases. Durante o anestro os resultados foram semelhantes aos encontrados durante a fase cíclica. Na avaliação da reatividade para RLH, durante o estro e diestro, o epitélio luminal mostrou reatividade de fraca a moderada, mas no diestro houve maior reatividade média. O epitélio glandular apresentou menor reatividade do que o luminal. No miométrio a coloração foi fraca durante todo o ciclo. Durante o anestro a reatividade foi fraca no epitélio luminal, ausente em quase todas as amostras no epitélio glandular e de fraca a ausente no miométrio. Neste experimento, não foi observada diferença significativa de reatividade entre os endométrios com e sem endometrose, mas as áreas afetadas mostraram coloração assíncrona para RE, RP e RLH. Na cérvice, foi observada imunorreatividade moderada a alta para RE e RP no epitélio luminal, no estroma e no músculo. A intensidade de coloração das células epiteliais e musculares variou pouco entre o estro e o diestro, mas durante o anestro houve maior reatividade no tecido muscular e no estroma. Foi observada reatividade para RLH no epitélio e camada muscular, sem variação significativa nas fases do ciclo. A intensidade de coloração foi de fraca a moderada no epitélio e fraca na camada muscular. No oviduto, observou-se imunorreatividade para RE e RP nos três tecidos, durante a fase cíclica e o anestro. No epitélio, os valores encontrados foram de moderados a altos, sem variação significativa nas três fases. A coloração das células epiteliais do oviduto foi nitidamente irregular, com o núcleo muito corado no que parecem ser células secretoras e pouco corado ou sem coloração nas células ciliadas, refletindo provavelmente as diferentes funções das células epiteliais neste órgão. No estroma a reatividade foi moderada durante a fase luteal, mostrando reatividade mais alta no estro e no anestro. A camada muscular apresentou reatividade máxima para RE no estro e no diestro. A reatividade para RLH no epitélio luminal foi de fraca a moderada durante todo o ciclo. No músculo também foi observada reatividade, porém bem mais fraca do que no epitélio. Durante o anestro somente três das oito amostras apresentaram reatividade no tecido muscular. No diestro foi observada maior reatividade do que no estro. Os resultados do presente estudo evidenciam, pela primeira vez, a presença de receptores para LH nos diferentes tecidos do trato reprodutor extragonadal da égua. Embora existam relatos da expressão e localização de RE e RP no endométrio equino, esta é a primeira vez que se utiliza a técnica de imunohistoquímica para localizar estes receptores na cérvice e no oviduto desta espécie. Foi observada variação individual bastante acentuada entre as amostras, em uma mesma fase cíclica. Provavelmente estes resultados sejam o reflexo da variação entre o dia do ciclo em que os animais se encontravam, bem como da complexidade dos mecanismos envolvidos na presença desses receptores. Os achados deste estudo indicam que tanto os hormônios gonadais quanto o LH atuam por meio de seus receptores nos diferentes tecidos do trato reprodutivo da égua, podendo servir para a elaboração de novas estratégias para melhorar a eficiência reprodutiva nesta espécie. / The aim of this study was to demonstrate the presence and localization of gonadotropic and steroid hormone receptors, in different tissues of the mare genital tract and the different reactivity to these receptors during the endometrial cycle and physiologic anestrus. Another objective was to compare the reactivity to theses receptors in mares with and without endometrosis. Immunohistochemistry was performed using the peroxidase anti-peroxidase technique (PAP). Uterus, cervix and oviduct of 41 criollo mares were collected in an abattoir. There was variation in the intensity of the staining and distribution for estrogen receptors (PR), progesterone receptors (PR) and luteinizing hormone receptors (LHR) with the endometrial cycle and different tissues. The endometrial surface epithelial cells were stained strongly for ER and PR in the estrous and dioestrus; glandular epithelial cells, stromal cells and smooth muscle cells of the myometrium had moderate staining for ER and PR during these two phases and in anestrus too. The immunoreactive score for LHR in the surface epithelial cells during endometrial cycle was weak to moderate but, in general, strong staining was observed in dioestrus. More weak staining intensity was observed in the glandular epithelial cells than luminal epithelial cells. Smooth muscle cells of the myometrium showed weak staining for LHR throughout the endometrial cycle. During the anestrus, the immunoreactivity score was weak in the surface epithelial cells. In general, the glandular epithelium was not stained. Myometrium cells were weak to not staining for LHR, in this phase. In this study there was no significant difference in immunoreactive score for ER, PR and LHR in endometrium with or without endometrosis but fibrotic glands showed different expression patterns of ER, PR and LHR, could evidence for functionally glandular maldifferentiation in endometrosis. The cervical epithelial surface, stromal cells and smooth muscle cells were moderate to strongly staining for ER and PR, with little variation throughout the endometrial cycle but the immunorectivity was strongest during the anestrus in muscular and stromal cells. Surface epithelial cells of cervix were weak to moderate stained for LHR; smooth muscle cells showed weak staining for these receptors. There was no variation during cycle. In the oviduct, epithelial, stromal and muscle cells showed reactivity for RE and RP, during cycle and anestrus. Epithelial cells were moderate to strongly staining for these receptors, with evident irregularity in different types of cells. Apparently ciliated epithelial cells were stained but the intensity was much less than that observed in nonciliated epithelial cells, probably reflecting different functions of these cells. Stromal cells showed moderate staining during dioestrus and strongest reactivity in estrous and anestrus; muscle cells showed strong reactivity for ER throughout the cycle. The reactivity for LHR was weak to moderate throughout the cycle in the epithelial cells and weak in the muscle cells. During anestrus only three strains of muscle cells showed reactivity for LHR. In dioestrus the intensity was strongest. These findings evidence for the firs time the presence for LHR in extra-gonadal reproductive organs of mare. Though there were reports of ER and PR expression in equine endometrium, this is the first report of localization of these receptors in cervix and oviduct of mare using immunohistochemistry. It was found marked individual variation among the strains. These results probably were caused by the variation among the day of cycle and the complexity of mechanisms involved in the presence of these receptors. The findings of the present study allow us to infer that the ovarian steroid hormones nad LH function through their receptors in different tissues of mare reproductive tract, can help us to elaborate new strategies to improve the reproductive efficiency in this specie.

L’accident vasculaire cérébral (AVC) déclenche une cascade de changements qui conduisent à la mort cellulaire mais aussi des processus endogènes de protection en réponse à l'ischémie. La compréhension de ces processus est très importante pour le développement d’agents neuro-protecteurs potentiels qui peuvent être seulement des amplificateurs des processus endogènes. Le traitement par la progestérone est neuro-protecteur dans des modèles expérimentaux d’occlusion de l'artère cérébrale moyenne (MCAO). Cependant, des niveaux endogènes significatifs de progestérone sont mesurables dans le cerveau de souris mâles et femelles.Le but de notre travail était d'étudier: 1) les effets de l’ischémie sur les niveaux endogènes des stéroïdes et le rôle des récepteurs de la progestérone (PR) à la phase aiguë après ischémie chez les souris jeunes adultes et âgées des deux sexes; 2) la base cellulaire de la neuroprotection par la progestérone après ischémie et le rôle de PR neural. Nous avons utilisé un modèle d’ischémie expérimentale (MCAO); une lignée transgénique de souris (PRNesCre) dans laquelle l’expression de PR a été sélectivement invalidée dans les cellules neurales; la chromatographie en phase gazeuse-spectrométrie de masse en tandem (GC-MS/MS); et des analyses histologiques, comportementales, et d’immunofluorescence.Dans la première partie, nous avons montré que dans le cerveau de souris mâles la progestérone est principalement convertie en 5a-dihydroprogestérone (5a-DHP), qui est un agoniste naturel de PR. Après MCAO, les niveaux de progestérone et de 5a-DHP cérébrales augment chez les mâles, mais pas chez les femelles. En revanche, les femelles peuvent utiliser l’inter-conversion de la 20a-dihydroprogestérone et de la progestérone pour réguler la disponibilité des pregnanes actifs au niveau de PR. De plus, les souris PRNesCre, mâles et femelles jeunes adultes et âgées, ont des infarctus plus grands et des déficits sensori-moteurs plus importants ainsi qu’une diminution de la densité des neurones et de la microglie activée comparativement aux souris témoins PRloxP/loxP. En outre, nos résultats ont révélé des différences liées au sexe chez les souris jeunes, mais pas chez les souris âgées. Dans la deuxième partie de l'étude, nous avons montré que, chez les souris mâles PRloxP/loxP, le traitement par la progestérone améliore la récupération fonctionnelle et réduit le volume de l'infarctus. Dans le péri-infarctus, la progestérone augmente la densité des neurones, des oligodendrocytes et de leurs précurseurs, et diminue la densité des astrocytes et de la microglie activée, et l'expression de l’aquaporine 4. Ces effets de la progestérone n’ont pas été observés chez les souris PRNesCre.Nos résultats montrent 1) l'importance des pregnanes endogènes et du PR neural pour la protection cérébrale à la phase aiguë précoce après une ischémie; 2) que le traitement par la progestérone chez les souris mâles après ischémie a des effets neuro-protecteurs, pro-myélinisants et anti-inflammatoires et que PR neural est requis pour la médiation de ces effets. Ces données suggèrent fortement que les ligands de PR ou des agents ciblant leur signalisation en aval pourraient être développés pour la neuro-protection après un AVC. / Ischemic stroke initiates a cascade of changes that lead to cell death and also coordinates endogenous processes that counteract the nocuous consequences of ischemia. Understanding these processes is very important for the development of potential neuroprotectants which can be just boosters of endogenous processes. Treatment with exogenous progesterone is neuroprotective after middle cerebral artery occlusion (MCAO). However, the male and female brains contain significant amounts of endogenous progesterone.The aim of our work was to study: 1) the effects of MCAO on the endogenous levels of steroids and the role of neural progesterone receptors (PR) at the acute phase after stoke in young and aging mice of both sexes; 2) the cellular basis of the neuroprotection by progesterone following stroke and the role of neural PR. We used an in vivo model of MCAO; a transgenic mice line (PRNesCre) selectively lacking the expression of PR in neural cells; gas chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry (GC-MS/MS); and histological, behavioral, and immunofluorescence analyses.In the first part of the study, we showed that in the male mouse brain, progesterone is mainly converted to 5a-dihydroprogesterone (5a-DHP), which is a natural PR agonist ligand. After MCAO, brain levels of progesterone and 5a-DHP are rapidly upregulated in males but not in females. In contrast, females may use the interconversion of 20a-dihydroprogesterone and progesterone for regulating the availability of PR-active pregnanes. Moreover, young and aging male and female PRNesCre mice exhibited increased infarcts, severe sensorimotor deficits, and decreased densities of neurons and microglia comparatively to age-matched control mice PRloxP/loxP. In addition, our results revealed sex differences in stroke outcomes in young but not in aging mice. In the second part of the study, we showed that, in male PRloxP/loxP mice, progesterone improved sensorimotor outcomes and reduced infarct volumes. In the peri-infarct, progesterone increased the densities of neurons, oligodendrocytes and their precursors, decreased the densities of activated astrocytes and microglia, and the expression of the aquaporin 4. These beneficial effects of progesterone were not observed in PRNesCre mice.Our findings 1) uncover the importance of endogenous pregnanes and neural PR for the cerebroprotection at the early acute phase after stroke; 2) show that progesterone treatment in male mice has neuro-protectant, pro-myelinating and anti-inflammatory effects after MCAO and that neural PR is required for the mediation of these effects. These data strongly suggest that ligands of PR or agents targeting their downstream signaling could be developed for neuroprotection after stroke.

O câncer de mama corresponde a aproximadamente um quarto das neoplasias malignas em mulheres. A incidência do câncer de mama no Brasil é de cerca de 50.000 novos casos por ano, sendo considerado importante problema de saúde pública. HER2 e receptores hormonais (receptores de estrógeno e progesterona) são considerados os mais importantes marcadores prognósticos e preditivos em carcinoma de mama. A amplificação do gene HER2 ou a superexpressão da proteína HER2, que ocorre em cerca de 20 porcento dos carcinomas de mama, está associada a curso clínico mais agressivo e determina elegibilidade para terapia específica anti-HER2 com trastuzumabe. A terapia hormonal reduz em mais de 50 porcento o risco relativo de recorrência da doença em pacientes com tumores sensíveis a esse tratamento. Os testes de HER2 e receptores hormonais são partes essenciais da avaliação clínica das pacientes com carcinoma de mama; resultados precisos são fundamentais na identificação de pacientes que podem ser beneficiadas por terapias específicas. O presente estudo investigou a concordância nos resultados dos testes de HER2 e receptores hormonais determinados por imuno-histoquímica em 500 carcinomas invasivos de mama entre um laboratório referência e laboratórios locais de todas as regiões geográficas do Brasil. Os resultados demonstram baixa concordância geral (171/500 casos, 34,2 porcento) em relação aos resultados do teste de HER2 entre laboratórios locais e referência, o que pode estar relacionado ao baixo volume de testes de HER2 realizados, inexperiência com o sistema de escores de HER2 e/ou questões técnicas relacionadas à imuno-histoquímica nos laboratórios locais. A concordância nos resultados do teste de receptores de estrógeno e progesterona foi de 89,4 porcento (447/500 casos) e de 85,0 porcento (425/500 casos), respectivamente, entre laboratórios locais e referência. Padronização dos testes de HER2 e receptores hormonais com medidas de controle de qualidade rigorosas por laboratórios locais é fortemente recomendada para se evitar o tratamento inadequado de pacientes com câncer de mama / Breast cancer accounts for approximately one quarter of all cancers in females. The incidence of breast cancer in Brazil is about 50,000 new cases per year, and it is considered an important public health problem. HER2 and hormone receptors (estrogen and progesterone receptors) are considered the main prognostic and predictive markers for breast carcinoma. HER2 gene amplification or HER2 protein overexpression, detected in about 20 percent of breast carcinomas, predicts a more aggressive clinical course and determines eligibility for targeted therapy with trastuzumab. Hormonal therapy reduces the relative risk of recurrence by more than 50% in breast cancer patients with hormone-sensitive tumors. HER2 and hormone receptors testing has become an essential part of the clinical evaluation of all breast carcinoma patients, and accurate results are critical in identifying patients who may benefit from targeted therapy. The present study investigated the concordance in the results of HER2 and hormone receptors immunohistochemistry assays performed in 500 invasive breast carcinomas between a reference laboratory and local laboratories from all geographic regions of Brazil. Our results showed an overall poor concordance (171/500 cases, 34.2 percent) regarding HER2 results between local and reference laboratories, which may be related to the low-volume load of HER2 assays, inexperience with HER2 scoring system, and/or technical issues related to immunohistochemistry in local laboratories. The concordance of estrogen and progesterone receptors results was 89.4 percent (447/500 cases) and 85.0 percent (425/500 cases), respectively, between local and reference laboratories. Standardization of HER2 and hormone receptors testing with rigorous quality control measures by local laboratories is highly recommended in order to avoid erroneous treatment of breast cancer patients

O câncer de mama corresponde a aproximadamente um quarto das neoplasias malignas em mulheres. A incidência do câncer de mama no Brasil é de cerca de 50.000 novos casos por ano, sendo considerado importante problema de saúde pública. HER2 e receptores hormonais (receptores de estrógeno e progesterona) são considerados os mais importantes marcadores prognósticos e preditivos em carcinoma de mama. A amplificação do gene HER2 ou a superexpressão da proteína HER2, que ocorre em cerca de 20 porcento dos carcinomas de mama, está associada a curso clínico mais agressivo e determina elegibilidade para terapia específica anti-HER2 com trastuzumabe. A terapia hormonal reduz em mais de 50 porcento o risco relativo de recorrência da doença em pacientes com tumores sensíveis a esse tratamento. Os testes de HER2 e receptores hormonais são partes essenciais da avaliação clínica das pacientes com carcinoma de mama; resultados precisos são fundamentais na identificação de pacientes que podem ser beneficiadas por terapias específicas. O presente estudo investigou a concordância nos resultados dos testes de HER2 e receptores hormonais determinados por imuno-histoquímica em 500 carcinomas invasivos de mama entre um laboratório referência e laboratórios locais de todas as regiões geográficas do Brasil. Os resultados demonstram baixa concordância geral (171/500 casos, 34,2 porcento) em relação aos resultados do teste de HER2 entre laboratórios locais e referência, o que pode estar relacionado ao baixo volume de testes de HER2 realizados, inexperiência com o sistema de escores de HER2 e/ou questões técnicas relacionadas à imuno-histoquímica nos laboratórios locais. A concordância nos resultados do teste de receptores de estrógeno e progesterona foi de 89,4 porcento (447/500 casos) e de 85,0 porcento (425/500 casos), respectivamente, entre laboratórios locais e referência. Padronização dos testes de HER2 e receptores hormonais com medidas de controle de qualidade rigorosas por laboratórios locais é fortemente recomendada para se evitar o tratamento inadequado de pacientes com câncer de mama / Breast cancer accounts for approximately one quarter of all cancers in females. The incidence of breast cancer in Brazil is about 50,000 new cases per year, and it is considered an important public health problem. HER2 and hormone receptors (estrogen and progesterone receptors) are considered the main prognostic and predictive markers for breast carcinoma. HER2 gene amplification or HER2 protein overexpression, detected in about 20 percent of breast carcinomas, predicts a more aggressive clinical course and determines eligibility for targeted therapy with trastuzumab. Hormonal therapy reduces the relative risk of recurrence by more than 50% in breast cancer patients with hormone-sensitive tumors. HER2 and hormone receptors testing has become an essential part of the clinical evaluation of all breast carcinoma patients, and accurate results are critical in identifying patients who may benefit from targeted therapy. The present study investigated the concordance in the results of HER2 and hormone receptors immunohistochemistry assays performed in 500 invasive breast carcinomas between a reference laboratory and local laboratories from all geographic regions of Brazil. Our results showed an overall poor concordance (171/500 cases, 34.2 percent) regarding HER2 results between local and reference laboratories, which may be related to the low-volume load of HER2 assays, inexperience with HER2 scoring system, and/or technical issues related to immunohistochemistry in local laboratories. The concordance of estrogen and progesterone receptors results was 89.4 percent (447/500 cases) and 85.0 percent (425/500 cases), respectively, between local and reference laboratories. Standardization of HER2 and hormone receptors testing with rigorous quality control measures by local laboratories is highly recommended in order to avoid erroneous treatment of breast cancer patients

Submitted by Renata Lopes (renatasil82@gmail.com) on 2016-01-11T12:24:30Z No. of bitstreams: 1 patriciaoliveiracarmo.pdf: 901114 bytes, checksum: 4238f828115db8965f8df71f43a82da1 (MD5) / Approved for entry into archive by Adriana Oliveira (adriana.oliveira@ufjf.edu.br) on 2016-01-25T17:05:15Z (GMT) No. of bitstreams: 1 patriciaoliveiracarmo.pdf: 901114 bytes, checksum: 4238f828115db8965f8df71f43a82da1 (MD5) / Made available in DSpace on 2016-01-25T17:05:15Z (GMT). No. of bitstreams: 1 patriciaoliveiracarmo.pdf: 901114 bytes, checksum: 4238f828115db8965f8df71f43a82da1 (MD5) Previous issue date: 2015-06-19 / Em geral, o câncer de mama subtipo luminal exibe melhor prognóstico em relação aos outros subtipos tumorais. No entanto, a doença nesta condição pode assumir uma evolução desfavorável em algumas circunstâncias, o que sinaliza para a necessidade de melhor entendimento sobre o comportamento deste subtipo tumoral. O presente estudo teve por objetivo estimar a sobrevida livre de doença de mulheres em cinco anos com câncer de mama subtipo luminal e avaliar as variáveis prognósticas, clínicas, sociodemográficas, histopatológicas, relacionadas à utilização dos serviços de saúde e ao tratamento visando conhecer o impacto destas e sua implicação na recorrência e sobrevida da população estudada. Os dados foram obtidos a partir de uma coorte de base hospitalar, composta por 331 mulheres diagnosticadas com a doença no período entre 2003 e 2005, com perfil imunohistoquímico compatível com tumor luminal, não metastático (estadios I, II e III), atendidas em hospital referência em Oncologia no Município de Juiz de Fora – MG. A sobrevida livre de doença em cinco anos foi de 79,5% (IC95%: 74,6-83,6). Na análise univariada, observou-se associação da recorrência do tumor com o tipo de serviço de saúde, estadiamento, tamanho tumoral, comprometimento linfonodal e número de linfonodos comprometidos, quimioterapia e hormonioterapia (p<0,05), sendo verificada menor recorrência para as mulheres que frequentaram o serviço privado, que apresentaram doença inicial, menor tamanho tumoral e ausência de comprometimento linfonodal axilar e que foram submetidas a hormonioterapia. No modelo multivariado, permaneceram gravidade da doença e hormonioterapia como os fatores prognósticos mais importantes. As técnicas de biologia molecular representam o futuro do tratamento do câncer e também para os tumores luminais. Deve-se garantir o acesso ao tratamento hormonal quando indicado e os estágios avançados devem ser objeto de abordagem terapêutica mais ampliada. / Luminal breast cancer usually has a better prognosis in relation to other tumoral subtypes. Nonetheless, the illness in this point can evolve unfavorably in some circumstances what signals the need for a better understanding about this tumoral subtype behavior. The present study aimed at estimating the diseasefree survival of women with luminal breast cancer in five years. In this study, many variables have been evaluated, including prognostic, clinic, sociodemographic, histopathological and related to the use of public health services and treatment, aiming to get to know their impact and implications on recurrence and survival among the population of the study. The database was a hospital based cohort study, composed of 331 women diagnosed with the disease between 2003 and 2005, with immunohistochemical profile compatible with luminal breast cancer, non-metastatic (stages I, II or III), treated in a hospital seen as a reference for cancer care in Juiz de Fora, MG. The study showed a disease-free survival of 79.5% (IC95%: 74.6-83.6) in five years. The univariate analysis has shown an association of tumor recurrence with the type of health care, staging, tumor size, lymph node involvement and their number, chemotherapy and hormonal therapy (p<0.05) and it has indicated better survival rates among women who used private health care, who are in an initial stage, with smaller tumors, no axillary involvement and who used hormonal therapy. In the multivariate model, there remained gravity of the illness and the use of hormonal therapy as the most important prognostic factors. Molecular biology techniques represent the future for cancer treatment and also for luminal tumors. Access to hormonal therapy should be granted whenever prescribed and advanced stages must receive an amplified range of therapeutic approach.

The control of reproductive cycles in higher primates is largely dependent on negative and positive feedback mechanisms by both steroidal and non-steroidal substances of the ovaries which regulate the function of hypothalamo-pituitary system. To gain insights into the role of INH A, the non steroidal ovarian hormone in the feedback control of pituitary FSH secretion, studies were conducted to examine the interrelationships of hormones throughout the menstrual cycle of the bonnet macaque. The findings of chapter II provide a detailed description of endocrine hormone profile during the menstrual cycle of the bonnet macaques with special attention to the feedback role of INH A on pituitary FSH secretion. To characterize the endocrine profile of different hormones, both ovarian (E2, P4, INH A) and pituitary (FSH, LH) hormones were measured daily for more than 40 days. To further examine the site of secretion of INH A and its relationship with pituitary FSH dynamics, surgical lutectomy and pharmacological induction of luteolysis employing the third generation GnRH R antagonist, Cetrorelix (CET) studies were carried out in the subsequent experiments. The results obtained from these studies suggest that INH A and P4 secreted from the CL during luteal phase regulate pituitary FSH secretion. The selective rise in FSH observed during the late menstrual cycle and during menstruation (referred to as luteo-follicular transition), as has been reported previously in higher primates, considered necessary for initiation of follicular growth and recruitment of follicles for ensuing menstrual cycle was characterized in the monkey. Surgical lutectomy and induction of luteolysis by CET experiments suggested that increased GnRH secretion is essential for this selective rise in FSH following withdrawal of inhibition by P4 and INH A. In clinical cases of reproductive ageing, the shortened follicular phase in human females has been identified to be the result of occurrence of early onset of FSH rise during the luteal-follicular transition period. The cause(s) of declining fertility with age in women who still have regular menstrual cycles are not clear, but issues of relationship between dysregulation of selective FSH rise in the late luteal phase and associated infertility could be examined using bonnet monkey as a model system. INH A is secreted in significant quantities by CL in higher primates and the feto placental unit suggesting its importance during fertility and pregnancy. Apart from the negative feedback regulation of pituitary FSH secretion, the complete repertoire of actions of this hormone during pregnancy is yet to be fully understood. The data presented in this thesis is the first comprehensive report showing the endocrine hormone profile of gonadotropins and ovarian hormones including INH A throughout the menstrual cycle of the bonnet macaque. The characterization of INH A profile in bonnet monkey will be of significant value for studies examining the role of INH A in higher primates. Dimeric inhibin has been suggested to be important for regulation of fertility and reproductive functions. Also, inhibin-α (one of the subunits of the dimeric protein) knock out mice model has provided convincing evidence that it acts as a tumour suppressor. A great deal of new information has been generated in recent years regarding the potential clinical usefulness of monitoring inhibin levels in blood and biological fluids in gynaecological diseases, pathological pregnancies and other disorders. Emerging clinical roles of inhibin have made INH A an important candidate molecule to study its molecular regulation. The results presented in chapter II suggested that LH regulates luteal INH A secretion (induction of luteolysis by CET administration experiment). As a first step towards understanding molecular regulation of inhibin-α expression in the macaque CL, in silico promoter analysis of macaque inhibin-α was performed and it revealed several transcriptional factor binding sites that were conserved across species. In rats FSH up regulates while preovulatory LH surge suppresses inhibin-α mRNA expression in the ovary and this suppression has been suggested to be necessary for occurrence of secondary FSH surge during metestrus. To address differential regulation of inhibin-α by LH and FSH in rat ovary during the periovulatory period, studies employing immature rats were carried out and the results are presented in chapter III. The results suggest that immature rat ovaries respond to exogenous gonadotropins in terms of LH signaling (cAMP production), luteinization (P4 production) and as well induction of ICER expression required for repression of inhibin-α subunit expression. PDE4 inhibitor (rolipram) treatment enhanced the ovarian cAMP concentrations suggesting that PDE4 play a major role in controlling intraovarian cAMP concentrations in rat ovaries. However increased cAMP concentrations did not appear to up regulate the ICER expression at the time point examined in this study. In higher primates time course of second FSH surge and continued synthesis and secretion of INH A in the CL are different from non primate species. In the monkey, the second FSH rise occurs during the late luteal phase and experiments have been carried out to examine the regulation of inhibin-α subunit expression by ICER. Expressions of ICER (mRNA/protein) and INH A were examined during different stages of CL and the results indicated no clear inverse relationship between the ICER and inhibin-α mRNAs. With no conclusive role for the ICER in regulating luteal inhibin-α observed in the study, the role of transcriptional activators in the regulation of inhibin-α like GATA4, SF-1, β-catenin were further examined. Since luteal INH A secretion was dependent on pituitary LH as determined earlier in chapter II, expressions of transcriptional activators were examined in CL of different stages and also during induced luteolysis and the results are described in chapter IV. In conclusion, our results indicate cross talk between WNT, cAMP and P38 MAP kinase signaling pathways in the regulation of luteal INH A secretion. The pituitary gonadotropin, LH, is the primary luteotropin in primate species acting to maintain the structure and function of the CL during the menstrual cycle. However whether the actions of LH are direct or mediated by local factors such as P4 remain unknown. Moreover, P4 secretion which is dominant during luteal phase has any role in regulating CL structure and function is not clearly defined. To address these and issues concerning P4 actions, initially, experiments were performed in the rat model to study the importance of P4 in the regulation of ovarian functions. An antiprogestin, RU486, was employed as a tool to uncover the PR regulated pathways during ovulation in rats and the findings are presented in the chapter V. The results indicated that blockade of PR action by RU486 during gonadotropin-induced superovulation resulted in inhibition of follicular rupture and ovulation in immature rats. Further to understand the downstream effectors of PR action, and to identify the candidate target genes of PR activation, semi-quantitative RT-PCR and western blot analyses were performed. The results obtained indicated that betacellulin, a member of EGF family and MMP-9 a proteolytic enzyme, were markedly repressed in response to RU486 treatment in rat ovaries. Also, the down stream pathway of EGF signaling leading to activation of ERK was markedly repressed in RU486 treated ovaries. It was next examined what role the P4/PR system has in the regulation of CL structure and function. Surprisingly, PR expression is absent in CL of rats, while it is present in higher primates. Experiments were carried out to examine intracrine actions of P4 in the regulation of CL structure and function in monkeys. The recently reported model system of induced luteolysis yet capable of responsive to trophic support from the laboratory provided an ideal opportunity to examine direct effects of P4 on structure and function of CL in the monkey. A series of pilot experiments were carried out in monkeys experiencing summer amenorrhea, to determine dose and mode of administration of exogeneous P4 to simulate mid luteal phase circulating P4 concentrations in monkeys subjected to induced luteolysis. Based on the results of pilot experiments, implantation of Alzet pumps containing 97.5mg of P4 was selected for maintaining mid luteal phase P4 concentrations. The microarray data of induced luteolysis previously deposited by the laboratory in NGBI’s gene expression omnibus were mined for identification and validation of differentially expressed genes of PR and its target genes following LH depletion and LH replacement experiments. Expressions of PR, PR cofactors and expressions of PR downstream target genes through out the luteal phase and in CL from day1 of menses were also examined. Analysis of expressions of genes revealed that of the 45 genes identified to be regulated by LH treatment, 4 genes were found to be responsive to P4, and 14 were identified to be responsive to both P4 and LH. Morphology of CL tissue sections revealed that P4 treatment appeared to have reversed the induced-luteolysis changes. In another experiment, implantation of P4 during late luteal phase (i.e., the period of declining P4 concentrations) for 24h caused changes in expressions of genes associated with tissue remodeling and morphology of luteal cells. Taken together, the results suggest that induced luteolysis plus P4 replacement model is suitable for assessing the effects of P4 on CL function. The results also suggest that CL could serve as target tissue for examining the genomic and non genomic actions of P4. In summary, studies carried out in the present thesis provides a comprehensive endocrine hormone profile throughout the menstrual cycle of the bonnet monkey with special emphasis on time course of INH A and FSH secretion which is very useful for future investigations. Studies have been carried out in rats and monkeys with different experimental model systems to address molecular mechanisms underlying inhibin-α regulation in the ovary in general and CL in particular. Experimental findings in monkeys could help elucidate the underlying molecular nature of CL functionality and extrapolate to understand luteal insufficiency and infertility producing conditions in humans. Also different model systems have been validated to examine the actions of P4/PR system in rats and monkeys and more importantly to address the direct effects of P4 upon monkey CL structure and function were established. Future investigations based on findings of these studies should help clarify relative roles for LH and P4 during maintenance of CL function and luteolysis.