Effect of beta-carotene and vitamin A on progesterone production by bovine luteal cells

J Dairy Sci. 1988 Apr;71(4):1058-62. doi: 10.3168/jds.S0022-0302(88)79652-6.

Abstract

The relationship between concentrations of plasma vitamin A and c-carotene and corpora lutea was studied using 52 Holstein cows. Bovine luteinizing hormone was added to incubation tubes in doses of 0, 10, or 100 ng/ml. Regression of progesterone secretion by luteal cells in vitro on plasma beta-carotene was positive and significant for corpora lutea collected during the winter months when plasma beta-carotene was low. The two were unrelated during the summer months when beta-carotene was higher. Similar regressions for in vitro progesterone production and vitamin A were not significant in either season. These results suggest that in vivo beta-carotene status is related to bovine luteal function in vitro.

MeSH terms

  • Animals
  • Carotenoids / pharmacology*
  • Cattle / metabolism*
  • Corpus Luteum / drug effects*
  • Female
  • In Vitro Techniques
  • Luteal Cells / drug effects*
  • Luteal Cells / metabolism
  • Progesterone / biosynthesis*
  • Vitamin A / pharmacology*
  • beta Carotene

Substances

  • beta Carotene
  • Vitamin A
  • Carotenoids
  • Progesterone