Interaction between catecholamines and prostaglandin F2α in human luteolysis

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Abstract
From 14 women undergoing laparotomy at different stages of the luteal phase of the cycle, the corpus luteum (CL) was excised, cut into pieces and incubated for 120 min. Incubations were performed in the absence and presence of human chorionic gonadotropin [hCG] and prostaglandin F2.alpha. (PGF2.alpha.). Noradrenaline [norepinephrine, NE] was added to the incubation medium of newly formed CL, and the adrenergic blocker propranolol was also added to incubated specimens of mid-luteal phase CL. After incubation, the tissue levels of protein and cAMP and the media concentrations of progesterone (P) were determined. In young CL, PGF2.alpha. did not interfere with the stimulatory effect of hCG on neither cAMP nor P formation, while in CL of the mid-luteal phase PGF2.alpha. significantly counteracted the stimulatory effect of hCG on these 2 parameters. In the presence of propranolol this antigonadotropic effect of PGF2.alpha. in vitro was abolished. When NA was added to specimens of young CL. PGF2.alpha. significantly counteracted the stimulatory effect on hCG on both cAMP and P formation. Endogenous catecholamines may regulate the antigonadotropic, ''luteolytic'' effect of PGF2.alpha. in human CL.