The ovarian corpus luteum plays a critical role in reproduction because it
is the primary source of circulating progesterone. After ovulation, as the
corpus luteum forms from the wall of the ruptured follicle, it grows and va
scularizes extremely rapidly. In fact, the rates of tissue growth and angio
genesis in the corpus luteum rival those of even the fastest growl ng tumor
s. Thus, the corpus luteum provides an outstanding model for studying the f
actors that regulate the angiogenic process, which is critical for normal t
issue growth, development, and function. In agreement with data from other
tissues, vascular endothelial growth factors (VEGF) seem to be a major angi
ogenic factor responsible for vascularization of the developing corpus lute
um. Recent data suggest that luteal expression of VEGF occurs primarily in
specific perivascular cells, including arteriolar smooth muscle and capilla
ry pericytes, and is regulated primarily by oxygen levels. In addition, soo
n after ovulation, pericytes derived from the thecal compartment appear to
be the first vascular cells to invade the developing luteal parenchyma. The
granulosa-derived cells produce a factor that stimulates pericyte migratio
n. Moreover, nitric oxide (NO), which is a potent vasodilator and can stimu
late VEGF production and angiogenesis, is expressed in endothelial cells of
luteal arterioles and capillaries, often in association with expression of
VEGF by luteal perivascular cells. Thus, we have proposed a model for the
initial process of luteal vascularization in which hypoxia plays a major ro
le. In this model, which we believe will apply to other tissues as well, a
paracrine loop exists between the vascular endothelial cells, which produce
NO, and the peri-endothelial cells (vascular smooth muscle and pericytes),
which produce VEGF, to ensure coordinate regulation of luteal vasodilation
and angiogenesis.