Follicular mural granulosa cells stockpile glycogen to fuel corpus luteum pre-vascularization

The corpus luteum (CL) arises from the luteinization of follicular granulosa cells (GCs) and theca cells, marked by rapid progesterone elevation and angiogenesis. Intriguingly, angiogenesis lags behind progesterone elevation, creating an avascular phase during which luteal cells must fuel intensive steroidogenesis without perfusion. How the avascular CL meets this energetic demand remains a mystery. Here, we reveal a novel cellular adaptive mechanism-GC energy storage (GCES)-that resolves this enigma. We demonstrate that upon luteinization initiation, GCs enter a metabolically quiescent state yet enhance glucose uptake via SLC2A1, converting the glucose into glycogen through the hCG (LH)-MAPK-RUNX1-Insulin signaling axis. Catabolism of this glycogen reserve supplies the energy required for the avascular CL, ensuring normal luteogenesis. GCES is evolutionarily conserved across species. Genetic or pharmacological disruption of GCES or glycogenolysis induces luteal insufficiency, whereas timely glucose administration enhances GCES, improving luteal function and optimize reproductive outcome in both mouse and ovine models. In human study, orally intake of glucose post-hCG significantly augments GCES and enhances progesterone production in women. These results advance luteal physiology by uncovering a universal reproductive principle with direct clinical implications.