Possible existence of luteinizing hormone/chorionic gonadotropin receptors in human corpora lutea during early pregnancy.

In order to evaluate the possible existence of receptors for luteinizing hormone (LH)/chorionic gonadotropin (CG) in human corpora lutea of pregnancy, the specific binding of [125I]hLH to luteal pellets of 6-7 weeks' gestation and the effect of neuraminidase pretreatment on [125I]hLH binding were investigated. A relatively low capacity of hLH binding to luteal tissue of pregnancy was observed. In addition, the specific binding of hLH to luteal pellets significantly increased following neuraminidase pretreatment. The results obtained in this study suggest the possible existence of LH/CG receptors in human corpora lutea of pregnancy.