Content area
Full Text
Abstract
Progesterone, the principal progestational hormone of the body, is metabolized and produced in the corpus luteum via conversion of pregnenolone. Progesterone functions to prepare the uterus for the reception and development of the fertilized ovum by transformation of the endometrium from the proliferative to the secretory stage. By suppressing menstruation and uterine contractility, progesterone is extremely important in the maintenance of pregnancy. The two most frequent uses for progestins are contraception and hormone replacement therapy. This article provides a brief history of the discovery of progesterone and its therapeutic development and discusses the major challenges and advancements in steroid chemistry.
Early History and Discovery of the Corpus Luteum
The corpus luteum was first clearly described by Regner de Graf in 1672. That it was an organ of internal secretion was suggested by Louis-Auguste Pregnant in 1 898 and by Gustav Born about the same time. Clues to its specific action upon the endometrium were discovered dirough experiments by Ludwig Fraenkel (1903 and 1910), by Leo Loeb (1907), and by Paul Ancel and Paul Bouin (1910). The control of uterine motility by the corpus luteum was demonstrated by Herman Knaus (1927). G.W. Corner (1928) demonstrated the necessity of the corpus luteum for survival of die preimplanted embryo. Using a test based upon the findings of Fraenkel and Ancel and Bouin, Corner and WM. Allen isolated die hormone progesterone (1929) and first maintained pregnancy in rabbits widi corpus luteum extracts after early ablation of the ovaries (1930). Purification of progesterone was die work of several investigators between 1928 and 1934. The structural formula was worked out by Adolf Butenandt (1933-1934).'
By 1947, Corner and his team established diat progesterone is the chief hormone of the corpus luteum. They had proven diat one of its principal actions is to prepare die endometrium to facilitate implantation of die ovum. They also discovered diat progesterone reduces die activity of die myometrium and dieorized diat diis property serves to quiet the uterus during die period of implantation and to protect die embryo from premature expulsion until muscular activity is released at die time of parturition. Corner's team also speculated that progesterone might help in cases of sterility resulting from failure of the corpus luteum function and, in cases...