title: Growth effects of protein hormones on cultured rabbit ovarian surface epithelial cells.
abstract: Throughout life, the ovarian surface epithelium (OSE) undergoes morphogenetic changes that may be hormonally regulated. To investigate this possibility, a population of cells morphologically identical to native OSE cells was isolated from estrous rabbits with collagenase, unit gravity sedimentation, and trypsin-EDTA. Cells were incubated with various concentrations of protein hormones in serum-rich medium or in a chemically defined medium containing fibronectin. Tritiated thymidine was added 24 h before interruption of cultures. Growth-promoting effects of tested hormones were more pronounced and consistent in serum-free cultures. Under these conditions, human chorionic gonadotropin (10,000 mIU/ml) caused a 2.8-fold increase in cell number and a 3.4-fold stimulation of thymidine incorporation. Luteinizing hormone (NIAMDD-oLH-24, 1.0 micrograms/ml) and follicle-stimulating hormone (NIADDK-oFSH-16, 1.0 micrograms/ml) produced, respectively, a 1.7-fold and 1.5-fold increase in cell proliferation, and over 1.4-fold and 1.3-fold stimulations of thymidine uptake. When used together, no growth stimulation by these gonadotropins was seen. Slight but significant increases in cell number (1.4-fold) and in radiolabel incorporation (1.3-fold) were observed with prolactin (NIADDK-oPrl-16, 10 ng/ml). These data indicate that some protein hormones promote the growth of OSE cells. This property may be important in regulating these cells during normal and pathologic states.
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D002478:Cells, Cultured; D006063:Chorionic Gonadotropin / Q000494:pharmacology; D004848:Epithelium / Q000502:physiology; D005260:Female; D005640:Follicle Stimulating Hormone / Q000494:pharmacology; D006062:Gonadotropins / Q000494:pharmacology; D006128:Growth / Q000187:drug effects*; D007986:Luteinizing Hormone / Q000494:pharmacology; D010053:Ovary / Q000166:cytology / Q000187:drug effects* / Q000254:growth & development; D011388:Prolactin / Q000494:pharmacology; D011817:Rabbits / Q000502:physiology
chemical_list: D006063:Chorionic Gonadotropin; D006062:Gonadotropins; D011388:Prolactin; D007986:Luteinizing Hormone; D005640:Follicle Stimulating Hormone