Zoology, Government Arts College, Salem, India, 1970. Zoology, Madras Christian College, Tambaram, Chennai, India, 1972.
Progesterone is responsible for maintaining pregnancy in the rat.
We have demonstrated that the administration of a GnRH agonist brought about the suppression of luteal steroidogenesis that results in the termination of pregnancy in the rat and the induction of apoptosis of the corpus luteum. The molecular and cellular basis for GnRH action on the corpus luteum is currently under investigation. Based on these findings, we propose a hypothesis that as pregnancy progresses in the rat, there is an increase in the expression of GnRH in the corpus luteum which ultimately leads to apoptosis and suppression of steroidogenesis in the corpus luteum and the termination of pregnancy. The results of this study could lead to considering GnRH to be an attractive agent in women in terminating pregnancy during the first month of pregnancy when progesterone of luteal origin sustains pregnancy. We have also demonstrated that simulated microgravity suppresses steroidogenesis in vitro by luteal cells of the pregnant rat.