Abstract. Although it is clear that high density lipoproteins (HDL) can support steroidogenesis in several rat cell systems, questions still arise as to how HDL are processed by cells. In particular, it is not yet clear whether HDL are internalized by a pathway similar to that used for low density lipoproteins. This issue was examined in the present study using the luteinized ovaries of hormone-primed immature rats in an in situ perfusion system. Ovaries were perfused for 2-120 min with 1251I-labeled human or rat HDL and processed for autoradiographic studies at the light and electron microscopic level, or homogenized and used for isolation of subcellular membranes. The results show that the luteal cells of this tissue bind both human and rat HDL with great specificity. Moreover, the intact HDL particle does not appear to be internalized by the luteal cell during the period of perfusion: i.e., the protein moiety of the labeled HDL remains associated with the plasma membrane at all times. Evidence from the autoradiographs suggest, however, that with time, an increasing proportion of the plasma membrane-bound protein is associated with inverted microvilli, which are embedded within the cytoplasm and make close contact with structures of the interior of the cell. We speculate that HDL-cholesterol may be transferred at such sites.

The aim of this investigation was to determine whether luteal cells utilize cholesterol derived from high-density lipoprotein (HDL) for steroidogenesis and whether estrogen enhances luteal utilization of exogenous sterol. Incubation of Day 15 corpora lutea (CL) with different doses of human HDL resulted in a dose-dependent increase in progesterone production. HDL in vitro enhanced the overall steroidogenic capacity. However, the percentage of increases in 17 alpha-hydroxyprogesterone, testosterone and estradiol were significantly less than that of progesterone. Day 12 hypophysectomized and hysterectomized pregnant rats were treated with either estradiol, testosterone or vehicle for 72 h. Serum pregnenolone and progesterone were markedly increased by the steroid treatment, yet in vitro production of progesterone by CL in all the groups was similar. However, in the presence of HDL in the media, only luteal tissues from steroid-treated rats increased their progesterone output. The reduced production of progesterone by luteal cells of vehicle-treated rats was not due to an accumulation of pregnenolone but to an overall reduction in exogenous sterol utilization. In summary, results of this investigation suggest 1) luteal cells of pregnant rats effectively utilize cholesterol from HDL for maximal steroidogenesis, and 2) estradiol may stimulate luteal steroidogenesis, at least in part, by affecting the incorporation or utilization of cholesterol from HDL into the cell.