title: Effect of pituitary gonadotrophins on proliferation of primary cultures of human ovarian stroma.
abstract: Proliferation of ovarian stromal cells is a common phenomenon in peri- and post-menopausal ovaries. It is generally assumed to be secondary to the rise in circulating gonadotrophins at the menopause, though the process by which it occurs is poorly understood. This study aimed to examine the effect of menopausal levels of pituitary gonadotrophins on the growth of primary cultures of ovarian stroma. A culture system was developed using primary explants of ovarian stroma on a collagen substrate. The effect of follicle stimulating hormone (FSH; 10(-5) g/l) and luteinizing hormone (LH; 10(-5) g/l) on the proliferation of cultures derived from the cortices and medullae of ten ovaries was evaluated using a dual radiothymidine labelling technique. FSH was stimulatory to cortical cultures from 9/10 ovaries and medullary cultures from 7/10 ovaries, while LH was stimulatory to cortical cultures from 6/9 ovaries and medullary cultures from 5/10 ovaries. The responsiveness of the cultures did not correlate with the degree of hyperplasia in vivo. This study demonstrates that pituitary gonadotrophins may modulate the growth of stromal cells in culture, and thus may play a role in the process whereby stromal proliferation occurs in peri- and post-menopausal ovaries.
authors.affiliation: Department of Pathology, University of Leeds, U.K.
authors.forename: J A
authors.initials: JA
authors.lastname: Snowden
authors.forename: K
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Bradbury
authors.forename: J G
authors.initials: JG
authors.lastname: Thornton
authors.forename: M
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Wells
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D002478:Cells, Cultured; D003594:Cytoplasmic Granules; D005260:Female; D005640:Follicle Stimulating Hormone / Q000494:pharmacology*; D006801:Humans; D007986:Luteinizing Hormone / Q000494:pharmacology*; D008875:Middle Aged; D008938:Mitosis / Q000187:drug effects; D010053:Ovary / Q000187:drug effects*; D013997:Time Factors
chemical_list: D007986:Luteinizing Hormone; D005640:Follicle Stimulating Hormone