title: Cultured human granulosa cells as a model for corpus luteum function: relative roles of gonadotrophin and low density lipoprotein studied under defined culture conditions.
abstract: In primates, corpus luteum development involves both gonadotrophin stimulation and exposure to low density lipoprotein (LDL) delivered through vascularization of the granulosa cell-derived layer. These regulatory influences were modelled in vitro using granulosa cells obtained during in-vitro fertilization (IVF) cycles controlled with gonadotrophin releasing hormone (GnRH) analogue, human menopausal gonadotrophin (HMG) and human chorionic gonadotrophin (HCG). Granulosa cells were cultured in defined medium on extracellular matrix. Without gonadotrophin or LDL in the medium, progesterone production declined progressively. With LDL alone, there was a short-lived elevation of progesterone output which subsequently declined. Culture with HCG alone resulted in a relatively unchanged rate of steroid production over 5 days despite morphological development. This contrasted with a marked and sustained increase in progesterone output over the same time when granulosa cells were cultured with combined HCG/LDL. Cultures were challenged with combined HCG/LDL on day 5. Where initial incubation included HCG, the challenge resulted in a recovery of progesterone output to values comparable to those of granulosa cells exposed to continuous HCG/LDL. Initial incubation without gonadotrophin led to a reduced response. Results suggest that LDL delivery to granulosa cells of the early corpus luteum causes a short-lived period of progesterone production. Sustained luteinization of granulosa cells and maintenance of gonadotrophin responsiveness requires continued exposure to gonadotrophin in the luteal phase.
authors.affiliation: Obstetrics and Gynaecology, University of Southampton, Princess Anne Hospital, UK.
authors.forename: M C
authors.initials: MC
authors.lastname: Richardson
authors.forename: D W
authors.initials: DW
authors.lastname: Davies
authors.forename: R H
authors.initials: RH
authors.lastname: Watson
authors.forename: M L
authors.initials: ML
authors.lastname: Dunsford
authors.forename: C B
authors.initials: CB
authors.lastname: Inman
authors.forename: G M
authors.initials: GM
authors.lastname: Masson
mesh_terms: D002478:Cells, Cultured; D006063:Chorionic Gonadotropin / Q000378:metabolism* / Q000494:pharmacology; D003338:Corpus Luteum / Q000378:metabolism*; D004247:DNA / Q000032:analysis / Q000096:biosynthesis; D004305:Dose-Response Relationship, Drug; D005260:Female; D006107:Granulosa Cells / Q000187:drug effects / Q000378:metabolism* / Q000648:ultrastructure; D006801:Humans; D008077:Lipoproteins, LDL / Q000378:metabolism* / Q000494:pharmacology; D008183:Luteal Phase; D008954:Models, Biological; D011374:Progesterone / Q000096:biosynthesis*
chemical_list: D006063:Chorionic Gonadotropin; D008077:Lipoproteins, LDL; D011374:Progesterone; D004247:DNA