Table 1.
Key ovulatory mediators induced by luteinizing hormone
| Mediator | Ovulatory function(s) |
|---|---|
| A disintegrin and metalloproteinase with thrombospondin motifs (ADAMs/ADAMTSs) | Follicle wall proteolysis |
| Angiopoietins (ANGTPs: ANGPT1, ANGPT2) | Angiogenesis |
| Cyclic adenosine monophosphate/protein kinase A | Signaling cascade downstream of LHCGR activation; induces ovulatory processes; and expression of ovulatory mediators |
| Epidermal growth factor (EGF)‐like factors (amphiregulin, epiregulin, betacellulin) | Cumulus oocyte complex expansion |
| Extracellular regulated kinase 1/2 (ERK1/2) | Signaling casecade downstream of LHCGR and EGF receptor activation; induces ovulatory processes; and expression of ovulatory mediators |
| Leukocyte secreted chemokines/cytokines (interleukins, CCLs, CXCLs) | Immune cell trafficking; inflammation; angiogenesis; cumulus ooctye complex expansion; follicle wall proteolysis |
| Matrix metalloproteinases (MMPs) | Follicle wall proteolysis |
| Plasminogen activator system | Follicle wall proteolysis |
| Phospholipase C/inositol triphosphate/diacylglycerol | Signaling casecade downstream of LHCGR activation; induces ovulatory processes; and expression of ovulatory mediators |
| Progesterone | Inflammation; regulator of blood flow; follicle wall proteolysis |
| Progesterone receptor | Transcriptional regulation; inflammation; follicle wall proteolysis |
| Prostaglandins (PGE2, PGF2α) | Angiogenesis; regulators of blood flow; inflammation; cumulus oocyte complex expansion; follicle wall proteolysis |
| Vascular endothelial growth factors (VEGFs: VEGFA, VEGFC, VEGFD, placental growth factor) | Angiogenesis; regulators of blood flow |
Abbreviation: LHCGR, LH receptors.