PRODUCTION OF THE PROTOONCOGENE BAX DOES NOT VARY WITH CHANGING IN LUTEAL FUNCTION IN WOMEN

The mechanisms of luteal maintenance and regression in women are uncer tain, but morphological and oligonucleosome studies raise the possibil ity that apoptosis may be involved. BAX is a proto-oncogene of the BCL -2 family which can induce apoptosis. The aim of this study was to det ermine whether BAX is expressed in the human corpus luteum and whether the level of expression changes relative to the stage of the luteal p hase or in simulated early pregnancy. Carefully timed samples of corpu s luteum were studied by immunostaining, sodium dodecyl sulphate-polya crylamide gel electrophoresis and immunoblotting. PAX protein was immu nolocalized in luteal sections from all stages including luteal rescue but BAX production did not change during luteal maintenance or regres sion. Localization of PAX to the steroid-secreting cells of the corpus luteum implies a functional role and BAX may interact with other memb ers of the BCL-2 family to affect luteal function.