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Ascorbate-glutathione (AsA-GSH) cycle plays an important role in tuning beneficial ROS accumulation for intracellular signals and imparts plant tolerance to oxidative stress by detoxifying excess of ROS. Here, we present genome-wide identification of AsA-GSH cycle genes (APX, MDHAR, DHAR, and GR) in several leguminous species and expression analyses in G. max during stress, germination and tissue development. Our data revealed 24 genes in Glycine genus against the maximum of 15 in other leguminous species, which was due to 9 pars of duplicated genes mostly originated from sub/neofunctionalization. Cytosolic APX and MDHAR genes were highly expressed in different tissues and physiological conditions. Germination induced genes encoding AsA-GSH proteins from different cell compartments, whereas vegetative phase (leaves) stimulated predominantly genes related to chloroplast/mitochondria proteins. Moreover, cytosolic APX-1, 2, MDHAR-1a, 1b and GR genes were the primary genes linked to senescence and biotic stresses, while stAPX-a, b and GR (from organelles) were the most abiotic stress related genes. Biotic and abiotic stress tolerant genotypes generally showed increased MDHAR, DHAR and/or GR mRNA levels compared to susceptible genotypes. Overall, these data clarified evolutionary events in leguminous plants and point to the functional specificity of duplicated genes of the AsA-GSH cycle in G. max., (Copyright © 2021 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.)

Objective: Our purpose was to investigate the diagnostic accuracy of single or summed measurements of progesterone and placental protein 14, a progestin-dependent endometrial glycoprotein, in the evaluation of luteal function., Study Design: Forty-five healthy women had daily blood measurements of luteinizing hormone, progesterone, and placental protein 14 during one menstrual cycle., Results: Thirty-nine women had normal and six had deficient luteal function on the basis of serial progesterone determinations. Luteal insufficiency was not accurately diagnosed by single progesterone or placental protein 14 values or by integrated placental protein 14 measurements. In contrast, the condition was correctly identified in all but one cycle when the sum of progesterone on days 4 and 7 was < 49 nmol/L (15.4 ng/ml). A poor correlation was found between peak or integrated measurements of progesterone and placental protein 14., Conclusion: Measurement of serum progesterone, but not placental protein 14, on 2 days of the midluteal phase provides a convenient and reliable test of luteal function.

Objective: Our objective was to determine if a progesterone antagonist might interdict the development of a secretory endometrium., Study Design: Eleven normally cycling women not at risk for pregnancy received RU 486 (1 mg/day orally) or placebo throughout one menstrual cycle in a randomized, double-blind, crossover fashion. Estradiol, progesterone, and placental protein 14 were measured every 3 days; luteinizing hormone was measured until the midcycle surge was detected. An endometrial biopsy was performed on luteal phase day 7 to 9 and interpreted with Noyes' criteria. Differences between treatment groups were analyzed by the Student t test., Results: RU 486 delayed ovulation, retarded endometrial maturation, and reduced peak levels of placental protein 14 without affecting gonadal steroid production. The abnormalities in endometrial morphology and function are similar to those seen in infertile women with luteal phase defects., Conclusion: We hypothesize that this regimen of antiprogestin administration may prevent implantation and offer a novel strategy for fertility control.

Since progesterone is required to prepare the endometrium for implantation of an embryo, a progesterone antagonist may inhibit nidation and thus prevent pregnancy. We addressed this possibility in the guinea pig, the small laboratory animal whose reproductive physiology most resembles that of women. Daily administration of the antiprogestin RU 486 (0, 1, 2, or 3 mg/kg, subcutaneously) for 9 days after mating inhibited implantation in a dose-dependent fashion. When this compound was given daily throughout the estrous cycle, cyclic vaginal changes, ovulation, and mating were suppressed in up to 17%, 28%, and 55% of animals, respectively. Two of seven mated female animals receiving RU 486, 1 mg/kg/day, had implantation sites. Nidation was completely blocked at higher doses. Thus daily antiprogestin administration prevented pregnancy in sexually active, normally cycling guinea pigs. A similar strategy using a daily antinidatory dose of an antiprogestin may offer a novel approach to human fertility control.