Summary
Immunohistochemistry was used to determine the distribution of oestrogen receptors (ER) and progesterone receptors (PR) in the human ovary during folliculogenesis. Primordial and preantral follicles did not contain ER or PR. The granulosa cells of antral follicles had ER, but negligible PR, before the LH surge. In contrast, at the time of LH surge, these cells of the dominant follicle contained PR, but not ER. On the other hand, granulosa cells of the non-dominant follicles had ER, but not PR. After ovulation, the PR persisted in the luteinized granulosa cells and in the corpus luteum during early pregnancy. The theca interna and surrounding stromal cells were ER-negative and PR-positive throughout the menstrual cycle. Thus, the results show that ER and PR are not expressed simultaneously in the granulosa cells, the thecal cells, or the stromal cells during folliculogenesis. Mechanisms controlling the expression of steroid receptors during the normal menstrual cycle and in early pregnancy are discussed.
This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.
Similar content being viewed by others
References
Adashi EY, Hsueh AJW (1982) Estrogens augment the stimulation of ovarian aromatase activity by follicle-stimulating hormone in cultured rat granulosa cells. J Biol Chem 257:6077–6983
Bergeron C, Fereczy A, Toft DO, Schneider W, Shyamala G (1988) Immunocytochemical study of progesterone receptors in the human endometrium during the menstrual cycle. Lab Invest 59:862–869
Cidlowski JA, Muldoon TG (1975) Modulation by thyroid hormones of cytoplasmic estrogen receptor concentrations in reproductive tissues of the rat. Endocrinology 97:59–67
Cook B, Karsh FJ, Foster DL, Nalbandov AV (1974) Estrogen-induced luteolysis in the ewe: possible sites of action. Endocrinology 94:1197–1201
Greene GL, Jensen EV (1982) Monoclonal antibodies as probes for estrogen receptor detection and characterization. J Steroid Biochem 16:353–359
Greene GL, Harris K, Bova R, Kinders R, Moove B, Nolan C (1988) Purification of T47D human progesterone receptor and immunohistochemical characterization with monoclonal antibodies. Mol Endocrinol 2:714–726
Hild-Petito S, Stouffer RL, Brenner RM (1988) Immunohistochemical localization of estradiol and progesterone receptors in the monkey ovary throughout the menstrual cycle. Endocrinology 123:2896–2905
Isomaa V, Isotalo H, Orava M, Janne O (1979) Regulation of cytosol and nuclear progesterone receptors in rabbit uterus by estrogen, antiestrogen and progesterone administration. Biochem Biophys Acta 585:24–33
Jacobs BR, Suchocki S, Smith RG (1980) Evidence for a human ovarian progesterone receptor. Am J Obstet Gynecol 138:332–336
Katzenellenbogen BS (1980) Dynamics of steroid hormone receptor action. Annu Rev Physiol 42:17–35
Keyes PL, Gadsby JE, Yuh KCM, Bill CH (1983) The corpus luteum. In: Greep RO (ed) Reproductive physiology, vol 4. University Park Press, Baltimore, p 57
Kim I, Greenwald GS (1987) Stimulatory and inhibitory effects progesterone on follicular development in the hypophysectomized FSH/LH-treated hamster. Biol Reprod 36:270–276
Kudolo GB, Elder MG, Myatt L (1984) A novel oestrogen-binding species in rat granulosa cells. J Endocrinol 102:83–91
Leavitt WW, MacDonald RG, Okulicz WC (1983) Hormonal regulation of estrogen and progesterone receptor systems. In: Litwack G (ed) Biochemical actions of hormones, vol 10. Academic Press, New York, p 323
Logeat F, Vu Hai MT, Fournier A, Legrain P, Buttin P, Milgrom E (1983) Monoclonal antibodies to rabbit progesterone receptor: cross-reaction with other mammalian progesterone receptors. Proc Natl Acad Sci USA 80:6456–6459
Noyes RW, Hertig AT, Rock J (1950) Dating the endometrial biopsy. Fertil Steril 1:3–25
Press MF, Nousek-Goebl N, King WJ, Herbst AL, Greene GL (1984) Immunohistochemical assessment of estrogen receptor distribution in the human endometrium throughout the menstrual cycle. Lab Invest 51:495–503
Richards JS (1975) Estradiol receptor content in rat granulosa cells during follicular development: modification by estradiol and gonadotropin. Endocrinology 97:1174–1184
Richards JS, Uilenbroek JTJ, Jonassen JA (1979) Follicular growth in the rat: A reevaluation of the roles of FSH and LH. In: Channing CP (ed) Ovarian follicular growth and corpus luteum function. Plenum, New York, p 11
Richards JS (1980) Maturation of ovarian follices: actions and interactions of pituitary and ovarian hormones on follicular cell differentiation. Physiol Rev 60:51–89
Rothchild I (1981) The regulation of mammalian corpus luteum. Recent Prog Horm Res 37:194–208
Schreiber JR, Nakamura K, Truscello AM, Erickson GF (1982) Progestins inhibit FSH-induced functional LH receptors in cultured rat granulosa cells. Mol Cell Endocrinol 25:113–124
Shafie S, Brooks SC (1977) Effect of prolactin on growth and the estrogen receptor level of human breast cancer cells (MCF-7). Cancer Res 37:792–799
Shima K, Kitayama S, Nakano R (1987) Gonadotropin binding sites in human ovarian follicles and corpora lutea during the menstrual cycle. Obstet Gynecol 69:800–806
Stouffer RL, Nixon WE, Hodgen GD (1977) Estrogen inhibition of basal and gonadotropin-stimulated progesterone production by rhesus monkey luteal cells in vitro. Endocrinology 101:1157–1160
William MT, Roth MS, Marsh JM, LeMaire WJ (1979) Inhibition of basal and gonadotropin-stimulated progesterone synthesis by estradiol in isolated human luteal cells. J Clin Endocrinol Metab 48:437–440
Author information
Authors and Affiliations
Rights and permissions
About this article
Cite this article
Iwai, T., Nanbu, Y., Iwai, M. et al. Immunohistochemical localization of oestrogen receptors and progesterone receptors in the human ovary throughout the menstrual cycle. Vichows Archiv A Pathol Anat 417, 369–375 (1990). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF01606025
Received:
Revised:
Accepted:
Issue Date:
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/BF01606025