Luteotrophic effects of relaxin, chorionic gonadotrophin and FSH in common marmoset monkeys (Callithrix jacchus)

Abstract

In early pregnant primates, relaxin (RLX) is highly upregulated within the corpus luteum (CL), suggesting that RLX may have an important role in the implantation of the blastocyst. Therefore, the aim of the present study was to investigate the local effects of RLX and gonadotrophins on the maintenance of the CL using an in vitro microdialysis system. CLs of common marmoset monkeys were collected by luteectomy during different stages of the luteal phase and early pregnancy. Each CL was perfused with either Ringer's solution alone or Ringer's solution supplemented with either porcine RLX (250, 500 and 1000 ng/ml) or gonadotrophins (50 IU/ml). Application of RLX provoked a significant luteal response of progesterone (P 4 ) and oestradiol (E 2 ) secretions during the mid-luteal phase (500 ng/ml: P 4 54G42%, E 2 24G11%; 1000 ng/ml: E 2 16G13%), and especially during the late luteal phase (250 ng/ml: P 4 53G10%; 500 ng/ml: P 4 44G15%; 1000 ng/ml: P 4 62G15%, E 2 18G7%). The effects of RLX on steroid secretion were irrespective of the RLX dosages. While treatment with human chorionic gonadotrophin did not affect luteal steroid or RLX secretion, the application of FSH resulted in a significant increase in the secretion of both P 4 (20G8%) and E 2 (37G28%), and a prominent rise in RLX during early pregnancy. In conclusion, our results demonstrate that RLX and FSH have a luteotrophic function in the marmoset monkeys; moreover, FSH has a function beyond its traditional role just as a follicle-stimulating hormone.Reproduction (2010) 139 923-930

The neonatal marmoset monkey ovary is very primitive exhibiting many oogonia

“…2009, 2013, Albert et al . 2010, Beindorff & Einspanier 2010, von Schonfeldt et al . 2011, Aeckerle et al .…”

Congenital malformation of the vaginal orifice, imperforate vagina, in the common marmoset (<i>Callithrix jacchus</i>)

“…Since they live in family groups and all members aid in infant rearing [ 4 ], common marmosets have been used in familial sociality research [ 8 , 18 ]. As common marmosets have similar sex hormone profiles to those of the human ovarian cycle [ 21 ], they are often used in reproductive research and developmental engineering [ 6 , 12 , 19 , 22 ]. Infertile females, including those with imperforate vagina, cannot be used for experiments in these fields.…”

In situ and in vitro analysis of germ and stem cell marker-positive cells in the postnatal ovary of the common marmoset monkey (Callithrix jacchus)

“…The (Hearn 1983, Mansfield 2003, Sasaki et al 2005, Chandolia et al 2006, Luetjens et al 2008, Mitchell et al 2008, McKinnell et al 2009, Sasaki et al 2009,Beindorff & Einspanier 2010, von Schonfeldt et al 2011, Hanazawa et al 2012, Lin et al 2012, Tomioka et al 2012, McKinnell et al 2013, Parte et al 2013. However, research on gonadal development focused to our knowledge mostly on testicular development (Li et al 2005, Chandolia et al 2006, Mitchell et al2008, McKinnell et al 2009, Lin et al 2012, McKinnell et al 2013.…”

“…The body size of only around 25 cm and a weight of 300-450 g make marmoset monkeys an easy-to-handle-animal model yet representing primate physiology and biology. High reproductive success and absence of reproductive seasonality are key characteristics making marmoset monkeys a very valuable model to study non-human primate (NHP) reproductive physiology and stem cells (Harlow et al 1983, Mansfield 2003, Sasaki et al 2005, Chandolia et al 2006, Luetjens et al 2008, Mitchell et al 2008, McKinnell et al 2009, Sasaki et al 2009, Beindorff & Einspanier 2010, von Schonfeldt et al 2011, Hanazawa et al 2012, Lin et al 2012, Tomioka et al 2012, McKinnell et al 2013, Parte et al 2013. However, research on marmoset gonadal development has only been focused to our knowledge on the male (Li et al 2005, Chandolia et al 2006, Mitchell et al 2008, McKinnell et al 2009, Lin et al 2012, McKinnell et al 2013.…”