Definition and research guide
This page combines a MeSH definition, publication statistics and selected research abstracts. It is a starting point for reading the literature, not a medical textbook or a systematic evidence review.
Content available: 4 complete abstracts (677 words), 10 references. Full article text is not stored or reproduced here; follow the PMID, DOI or PMC links to read the original sources and their access terms.
Definition
The yellow body derived from the ruptured ovarian follicle after ovulation. The process of corpus luteum formation, luteinization, is regulated by luteinizing hormone.
Definition: NLM Medical Subject Headings (MeSH) scope note (Public domain (U.S. National Library of Medicine); attribution requested). View the MeSH record.
Also known as: Corpora Lutea; Lutea, Corpora.
Where it fits in the MeSH classification
- Broader topics
- Ovary
- Narrower topics
- Luteal Cells
- See also
- Luteolytic Agents
Related concepts
- Ovarian Follicle
- Ovulation
- Luteinization
- Luteinizing Hormone
Research landscape
PubMed indexes 12,066 records tagged with the MeSH heading “Corpus Luteum” (counts retrieved 2026-10-31). 609 of them (5.0%) were published from 2020 onward, and the busiest period so far is through 1999 with 8,353 records.
Reviews account for 767 records (6.4%) and meta-analyses for 5. Randomized controlled trials number 151 (1.3%) as a share of all records on the topic. Randomized trials make up only a small share of this literature, so much of what is known comes from laboratory, observational or descriptive work.
Show the data
| Period | Records |
|---|---|
| through 1999 | 8,353 |
| 2000-2009 | 1,711 |
| 2010-2019 | 1,393 |
| 2020 onward | 609 |
Publication-type chart data
| Type | Records | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Reviews | 767 | 6.4% |
| Meta-analyses | 5 | 0.0% |
| Randomized controlled trials | 151 | 1.3% |
Method: PubMed query "Corpus Luteum"[MeSH Terms] with publication-type and date filters, retrieved 2026-10-31.
Reading the evidence in anatomy and physiology
Anatomy describes how body structures are built and physiology describes how they normally work, so most findings here are descriptive or mechanistic rather than evidence about treatment. Much of what is known comes from dissection, imaging, tissue studies and experiments in animals, and measurements in healthy volunteers can differ from those in people with disease or at different ages. Normal ranges vary between individuals and populations. Check whether a result was measured in people or in another species, the age and health of the participants, and the method used.
Evidence from open-access studies
These open-access studies come from PubMed’s best-match results for this heading (papers whose main topic it is), ranked here by citation count, with one recent addition. Each abstract is reproduced in full under its recorded open licence so that you can read the authors’ own words. They illustrate the literature; they are not a systematic summary of it. Citation counts measure attention, not reliability or clinical benefit.
| Study / authors | Year | Source label / design | Europe PMC citations | Licence / source |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| The lncRNA Neat1 is required for corpus luteum formation and the establishment of pregnancy in a subpopulation of mice | 2014 | Research article Design not recorded in structured metadata | 228 | cc by PMID 25359727 · DOI · PMC4302932 |
| A Novel Intravital Imaging Window for Longitudinal Microscopy of the Mouse Ovary | 2015 | Research article Design not recorded in structured metadata | 50 | cc by PMID 26207832 · DOI · PMC4513547 |
| TGF-β1 induces VEGF expression in human granulosa-lutein cells: a potential mechanism for the pathogenesis of ovarian hyperstimulation syndrome | 2020 | Research article Design not recorded in structured metadata | 49 | cc by PMID 32152452 · DOI · PMC7156760 |
| Metabolic control of luteinizing hormone-responsive ovarian steroidogenesis | 2025 | Research article Design not recorded in structured metadata | 13 | cc by PMID 39615688 · DOI · PMC11732475 |
The lncRNA Neat1 is required for corpus luteum formation and the establishment of pregnancy in a subpopulation of mice [1]
Abstract reading summary — source excerpts
- Opening excerpt
- Neat1 is a non-protein-coding RNA that serves as an architectural component of the nuclear bodies known as paraspeckles.
- Closing excerpt
- These observations suggest that Neat1 is essential for the formation of the corpus luteum and for the subsequent establishment of pregnancy under a suboptimal condition that has not yet been identified.
- Interpretation limits
- Verbatim excerpts from the authors’ abstract; the closing excerpt may describe a finding, limitation or recommendation. Design, population, effect size and uncertainty have not been independently extracted or appraised. Read the complete abstract and linked paper before interpreting the findings.
Read complete abstract (152 words)
Neat1 is a non-protein-coding RNA that serves as an architectural component of the nuclear bodies known as paraspeckles. Although cell-based studies indicate that Neat1 is a crucial regulator of gene expression, its physiological relevance remains unclear. Here, we find that Neat1 knockout (KO) mice stochastically fail to become pregnant despite normal ovulation. Unilateral transplantation of wild-type ovaries or the administration of progesterone partially rescued the phenotype, suggesting that corpus luteum dysfunction and concomitant low progesterone were the primary causes of the decreased fertility. In contrast to the faint expression observed in most of the adult tissues, Neat1 was highly expressed in the corpus luteum, and the formation of luteal tissue was severely impaired in nearly half of the Neat1 KO mice. These observations suggest that Neat1 is essential for the formation of the corpus luteum and for the subsequent establishment of pregnancy under a suboptimal condition that has not yet been identified.
Abstract reproduced from the open-access article under the recorded cc by licence; © the authors. PMID 25359727 · DOI · PMC4302932
A Novel Intravital Imaging Window for Longitudinal Microscopy of the Mouse Ovary [2]
Abstract reading summary — source excerpts
- Opening excerpt
- The ovary is a dynamic organ that undergoes dramatic remodeling throughout the ovulatory cycle.
- Closing excerpt
- The implementation of a novel imaging window as reported here enabled longitudinal microscopy of ovarian physiology and orthotopic tumor invasion.
- Interpretation limits
- Verbatim excerpts from the authors’ abstract; the closing excerpt may describe a finding, limitation or recommendation. Design, population, effect size and uncertainty have not been independently extracted or appraised. Read the complete abstract and linked paper before interpreting the findings.
Read complete abstract (122 words)
The ovary is a dynamic organ that undergoes dramatic remodeling throughout the ovulatory cycle. Maturation of the ovarian follicle, release of the oocyte in the course of ovulation as well as formation and degradation of corpus luteum involve tightly controlled remodeling of the extracellular matrix and vasculature. Ovarian tumors, regardless of their tissue of origin, dynamically interact with the ovarian microenvironment. Their activity in the tissue encompasses recruitment of host stroma and immune cells, attachment of tumor cells to mesothelial layer, degradation of the extracellular matrix and tumor cell migration. High-resolution dynamic imaging of such processes is particularly challenging for internal organs. The implementation of a novel imaging window as reported here enabled longitudinal microscopy of ovarian physiology and orthotopic tumor invasion.
Abstract reproduced from the open-access article under the recorded cc by licence; © the authors. PMID 26207832 · DOI · PMC4513547
TGF-β1 induces VEGF expression in human granulosa-lutein cells: a potential mechanism for the pathogenesis of ovarian hyperstimulation syndrome [3]
Abstract reading summary — source excerpts
- Opening excerpt
- Ovarian hyperstimulation syndrome (OHSS) is one of the most serious and iatrogenic complications that can occur during in vitro fertilization treatment.
- Closing excerpt
- The results of this study help to elucidate the mechanisms by which VEGF expression is regulated in hGL cells, which could lead to the development of alternative therapeutic approaches for treating OHSS.
- Interpretation limits
- Verbatim excerpts from the authors’ abstract; the closing excerpt may describe a finding, limitation or recommendation. Design, population, effect size and uncertainty have not been independently extracted or appraised. Read the complete abstract and linked paper before interpreting the findings.
Read complete abstract (236 words)
Ovarian hyperstimulation syndrome (OHSS) is one of the most serious and iatrogenic complications that can occur during in vitro fertilization treatment. Although the pathogenesis of OHSS is not fully understood, vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) has been recognized as an important mediator of the development of OHSS. Transforming growth factor-beta-1 (TGF-β1) is known to regulate various ovarian functions. However, whether VEGF can be regulated by TGF-β1 in human granulosa cells has not been determined. In addition, the role of TGF-β1 in the pathogenesis of OHSS remains unknown. In the present study, we demonstrate that TGF-β1 stimulates VEGF expression in and secretion from both immortalized human granulosa-lutein (hGL) cells and primary hGL cells. Our results demonstrate that the SMAD2/3, ERK1/2, and p38 MAPK signaling pathways are involved in TGF-β1-induced VEGF expression and secretion. Using a mouse OHSS model, we show that the expression levels of TGF-β1 and VEGF are increased in the ovaries of OHSS mice. Blocking TGF-β1 signaling inhibits the development of OHSS by attenuating VEGF expression. Moreover, clinical results reveal that the protein levels of TGF-β1 and VEGF are increased in the follicular fluid of patients with OHSS, and that the levels of these two proteins in the follicular fluid are positively correlated. The results of this study help to elucidate the mechanisms by which VEGF expression is regulated in hGL cells, which could lead to the development of alternative therapeutic approaches for treating OHSS.
Abstract reproduced from the open-access article under the recorded cc by licence; © the authors. PMID 32152452 · DOI · PMC7156760
Metabolic control of luteinizing hormone-responsive ovarian steroidogenesis [4]
Abstract reading summary — source excerpts
- Opening excerpt
- The pituitary gonadotropin luteinizing hormone (LH) is the primary stimulus for ovulation, luteal formation, and progesterone synthesis, regardless of species.
- Closing excerpt
- Understanding hormonal control of metabolic pathways in steroidogenic cells may help elucidate approaches for improving ovarian function and successful reproduction or identifying metabolic targets for developing nonhormonal contraceptives.
- Interpretation limits
- Verbatim excerpts from the authors’ abstract; the closing excerpt may describe a finding, limitation or recommendation. Design, population, effect size and uncertainty have not been independently extracted or appraised. Read the complete abstract and linked paper before interpreting the findings.
Read complete abstract (167 words)
The pituitary gonadotropin luteinizing hormone (LH) is the primary stimulus for ovulation, luteal formation, and progesterone synthesis, regardless of species. Despite increased awareness of intracellular signaling events initiating the massive production of progesterone during the reproductive cycle and pregnancy, critical gaps exist in our knowledge of the metabolic and lipidomic pathways required for initiating and maintaining luteal progesterone synthesis. Using untargeted metabolomics and metabolic flux analysis in primary steroidogenic luteal cells, evidence is provided for rapid LHCGR-stimulation of metabolic pathways leading to increased glycolysis and oxygen consumption. Treatment with LH stimulated posttranslational modifications of enzymes involved in de novo lipogenesis. Mechanistic studies implicated a crucial role for de novo fatty acid synthesis and fatty acid oxidation in energy homeostasis, LHCGR/PKA signaling, and, consequently, progesterone production. These findings reveal novel hormone-sensitive metabolic pathways essential for maintaining LHCGR/PKA signaling and steroidogenesis. Understanding hormonal control of metabolic pathways in steroidogenic cells may help elucidate approaches for improving ovarian function and successful reproduction or identifying metabolic targets for developing nonhormonal contraceptives.
Abstract reproduced from the open-access article under the recorded cc by licence; © the authors. PMID 39615688 · DOI · PMC11732475
Key reviews and meta-analyses
The most cited review-type papers among PubMed’s best-match results for this heading, listed with bibliographic details only. Follow the links for the full text and access terms.
- Research article Mechanisms controlling the function and life span of the corpus luteum [5]
- Research article The molecular control of corpus luteum formation, function, and regression [6]
- Research article Luteolysis: a neuroendocrine-mediated event [7]
- Research article Theca: the forgotten cell of the ovarian follicle [8]
- Research article Angiogenesis in the corpus luteum [9]
- Research article Ovarian Folliculogenesis [10]
References
- Nakagawa S, Shimada M, Yanaka K, Mito M, Arai T, Takahashi E, et al.. The lncRNA Neat1 is required for corpus luteum formation and the establishment of pregnancy in a subpopulation of mice. . 2014. PMID 25359727 · DOI · PMC4302932
- Bochner F, Fellus-Alyagor L, Kalchenko V, Shinar S, Neeman M. A Novel Intravital Imaging Window for Longitudinal Microscopy of the Mouse Ovary. . 2015. PMID 26207832 · DOI · PMC4513547
- Fang L, Li Y, Wang S, Li Y, Chang HM, Yi Y, et al.. TGF-β1 induces VEGF expression in human granulosa-lutein cells: a potential mechanism for the pathogenesis of ovarian hyperstimulation syndrome. . 2020. PMID 32152452 · DOI · PMC7156760
- Przygrodzka E, Bhinderwala F, Powers R, McFee RM, Cupp AS, Wood JR, et al.. Metabolic control of luteinizing hormone-responsive ovarian steroidogenesis. . 2025. PMID 39615688 · DOI · PMC11732475
- Niswender GD, Juengel JL, Silva PJ, Rollyson MK, McIntush EW. Mechanisms controlling the function and life span of the corpus luteum. Physiol Rev. 2000. PMID 10617764 · DOI
- Stocco C, Telleria C, Gibori G. The molecular control of corpus luteum formation, function, and regression. Endocr Rev. 2007. PMID 17077191 · DOI
- McCracken JA, Custer EE, Lamsa JC. Luteolysis: a neuroendocrine-mediated event. Physiol Rev. 1999. PMID 10221982 · DOI
- Young JM, McNeilly AS. Theca: the forgotten cell of the ovarian follicle. Reproduction. 2010. PMID 20628033 · DOI
- Reynolds LP, Grazul-Bilska AT, Redmer DA. Angiogenesis in the corpus luteum. Endocrine. 2000. PMID 10855683 · DOI
- Rimon-Dahari N, Yerushalmi-Heinemann L, Alyagor L, Dekel N. Ovarian Folliculogenesis. Results Probl Cell Differ. 2016. PMID 27300179 · DOI
About this article
- Sources
- NLM Medical Subject Headings (definition, synonyms); NCBI PubMed (counts, identifiers); Europe PMC (open-access abstracts and citation counts).
- Verification
- Every reference was resolved against PubMed on 2026-10-31; title, year and DOI matched.
- Review state
- automated source verified; no human expert review has been recorded yet.
- Version
- 1, last updated 2026-10-31.
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Evidence strength
EvidenceHelix's computed view of the study designs behind this topic: how common meta-analyses, randomized trials and reviews are, how recent the literature is, and a plain-language reading. It describes the design mix of the literature. It is not a quality appraisal of any study, and it is not medical advice.