Control of human luteal steroidogenesis: role of growth hormone-releasing hormone, vasoactive intestinal peptide, and pituitary adenylate cyclase-activating peptide.
OBJECTIVE
To examine the possible effect of growth hormone-releasing hormone (GHRH), vasoactive intestinal peptide, and pituitary adenylate cyclase-activating peptide on basal and hCG-stimulated P production by human luteal cells.


METHODS
Cultures of human luteal cells from the early and midluteal phase.


METHODS
All corpora lutea were obtained from the Obstetrics and Gynecology Department of the Università Cattolica, a public care center.


METHODS
Ten nonpregnant women between 35 and 47 years of age underwent surgery for various nonendocrine disorders, such as leiomyomatosis.


METHODS
Corpora lutea were obtained at the time of hysterectomy.


METHODS
Luteal cells were incubated with GHRH, vasoactive intestinal peptide, and pituitary adenylate cyclase-activating peptide with or without hCG at different concentrations.


RESULTS
Pituitary adenylate cyclase-activating peptide stimulated P production in a dose- and time-dependent manner, whereas GHRH and vasoactive intestinal peptide did not affect luteal steroidogenesis. None of the three peptides were found to synergize with hCG.


CONCLUSIONS
Pituitary adenylate cyclase-activating peptide can influence human luteal steroidogenesis.
Apa
R
R
Institute of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Università Cattolica del Sacro Cuore, Rome, Italy.
Lanzone
A
A
Mastrandrea
M
M
Miceli
F
F
de Feo
D
D
Caruso
A
A
Mancuso
S
S
D000328:Adult; D002478:Cells, Cultured; D003338:Corpus Luteum / Q000166:cytology / Q000378:metabolism*; D003339:Corpus Luteum Hormones / Q000096:biosynthesis*; D005260:Female; D013007:Growth Hormone-Releasing Hormone / Q000502:physiology*; D006801:Humans; D007044:Hysterectomy; D008875:Middle Aged; D009479:Neuropeptides / Q000502:physiology*; D051219:Pituitary Adenylate Cyclase-Activating Polypeptide; D014660:Vasoactive Intestinal Peptide / Q000502:physiology*
C495401:ADCYAP1 protein, human; D003339:Corpus Luteum Hormones; D009479:Neuropeptides; D051219:Pituitary Adenylate Cyclase-Activating Polypeptide; D014660:Vasoactive Intestinal Peptide; D013007:Growth Hormone-Releasing Hormone