EN
It has been demonstrated recently that phytoestrogens (ekwol, para-ethyl-phenol and 17β-estradiol) modulate steroidogenesis and enhance luteolytic PGF₂α and cytokine action in bovine corpus luteum (CL). The regression of bovine CL is dependent on the appropriate contact between all the types of CL cells and induction of consecutive luteolysis mediators. The aim of this study was to determine the influence of phytoestrogens on the secretion of luteolytic mediators depending on cell type and cell-to-cell contact. The studies were conducted according to the earlier established cell coculture model, which allowed the studies of interactions between steroidogenic cells, endothelial cells and immune CL in vitro. As indicators of phytoestrogene actions during luteolysis the authors measured the levels of PGF₂α, leukotrien C₄ and stable nitric oxide metabolites (NO₂/NO₃) using immuno-enzymatical assays (EIA). Phytoestrogenes stimulated secretion of PGF₂α, LTC₄ and NO₂/NO₃ in steroidogenic cells (p < 0.05) at the highest level. Cell cultures in cocultures (in composition steroidogenic, endothelial, immune cells) did not influence the effect of phytoestrogens, which indicated that steroidogenic cells are the main target for phytoestrogen action within the bovine CL.