Prolactin inhibits the steroidogenesis in midfollicular phase human granulosa cells cultured in a chemically defined medium.
In vitro studies were conducted on prolactin (PRL) effects on human granulosa cell steroidogenesis. Cells derived from healthy midfollicular phase follicles were cultured in a chemically defined medium supplemented with androstenedione (delta 4 A) 10(-7) M. Cultures treated with follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH) showed a dose-dependent increase of estradiol (E2) and progesterone (P) secretion. The authors demonstrated that PRL (greater than or equal to 10 ng/ml) inhibits basal as well as FSH (10 ng/ml)-stimulated E2 and P secretion. This PRL effect was overcome only by FSH maximal stimulating doses (100 ng/ml). These results suggest a direct inhibitory effect of PRL on granulosa cell steroidogenesis acting as a negative modulator of FSH action. These effects might be related to the ovarian dysfunction observed in hyperprolactinemia.
D000328:Adult; D000735:Androstenedione / Q000494:pharmacology; D002478:Cells, Cultured; D003470:Culture Media; D004305:Dose-Response Relationship, Drug; D004958:Estradiol / Q000096:biosynthesis* / Q000378:metabolism; D005260:Female; D005640:Follicle Stimulating Hormone / Q000494:pharmacology; D005498:Follicular Phase; D006107:Granulosa Cells / Q000187:drug effects / Q000378:metabolism*; D006801:Humans; D011374:Progesterone / Q000096:biosynthesis* / Q000378:metabolism; D011388:Prolactin / Q000494:pharmacology*
D003470:Culture Media; D000735:Androstenedione; D011374:Progesterone; D004958:Estradiol; D011388:Prolactin; D005640:Follicle Stimulating Hormone