title: Aromatase inhibitors prevent granulosa cell differentiation: an obligatory role for estrogens in luteinizing hormone receptor expression.
abstract: To determine the role of newly synthesized estrogens in LH receptor expression, granulosa cells from diethylstilbestrol-implanted immature rats were cultured with FSH plus aromatase inhibitors. When present throughout the 48-h culture period, 4-hydroxy-4-androstene-3,17-dione (4-OHA; greater than or equal to 100 microM) and 1,4,6-androstatriene-3,17-dione (greater than or equal to 5 microM) inhibited FSH-induced LH receptor formation by 40% and 90%, respectively. Both aromatase inhibitors caused relatively greater inhibition of LH receptor formation when added from 20-48 h of culture, the period during which FSH-stimulated estrogen synthesis occurs (85% maximal inhibition with 4-OHA and 95% with 1,4,6-androstatriene-3,17-dione). Addition of estradiol, but not androstenedione, reversed the reduction of LH receptor formation by 4-OHA, indicating that the effects of the aromatase inhibitors were specifically related to their blockade of estradiol synthesis. The stimulation of estrogen production by FSH alone (8-fold) or with androstenedione (80-fold) during the 48-h culture period was prevented by 4-OHA. FSH-stimulated cAMP production was initially enhanced by 4-OHA from 0-20 h of culture, but was reduced from 20-48 h. Lower concentrations of 4-OHA (less than or equal to 50 microM) amplified FSH-stimulated cAMP production and LH receptor formation. However, these responses were blocked by the antiestrogen keoxifene or the antiandrogen flutamide, indicating that 4-OHA or a metabolite may have partial estrogenic or androgenic properties. The inhibitory effects of higher concentrations of 4-OHA on LH receptor expression were potentiated by keoxifene or flutamide. These results indicate that estrogen production and action are necessary for LH receptor expression in the granulosa cell.
authors.forename: M
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Knecht
authors.forename: A M
authors.initials: AM
authors.lastname: Brodie
authors.forename: K J
authors.initials: KJ
authors.lastname: Catt
mesh_terms: D000735:Androstenedione / Q000031:analogs & derivatives / Q000494:pharmacology; D000818:Animals; D047072:Aromatase Inhibitors; D002454:Cell Differentiation / Q000187:drug effects; D002478:Cells, Cultured; D000242:Cyclic AMP / Q000096:biosynthesis; D003692:Delayed-Action Preparations; D004054:Diethylstilbestrol / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000494:pharmacology; D004958:Estradiol / Q000494:pharmacology; D004967:Estrogens / Q000502:physiology*; D005260:Female; D005485:Flutamide / Q000494:pharmacology; D005640:Follicle Stimulating Hormone / Q000037:antagonists & inhibitors; D006107:Granulosa Cells / Q000166:cytology* / Q000187:drug effects; D010088:Oxidoreductases / Q000037:antagonists & inhibitors*; D010880:Piperidines / Q000494:pharmacology; D020849:Raloxifene Hydrochloride; D051381:Rats; D011956:Receptors, Cell Surface / Q000096:biosynthesis*; D011974:Receptors, LH; D013997:Time Factors
chemical_list: D047072:Aromatase Inhibitors; D003692:Delayed-Action Preparations; D004967:Estrogens; D010880:Piperidines; D011956:Receptors, Cell Surface; D011974:Receptors, LH; D000735:Androstenedione; D020849:Raloxifene Hydrochloride; D004958:Estradiol; D004054:Diethylstilbestrol; D005485:Flutamide; D005640:Follicle Stimulating Hormone; D000242:Cyclic AMP; D010088:Oxidoreductases; C014594:formestane