Effects of the neuropeptide Y on estradiol and progesterone secretion by human granulosa cells in culture.
OBJECTIVE
To investigate the possible effects of neuropeptide Y on steroid release by human granulosa cells in culture.


METHODS
Prospective study.


METHODS
A university laboratory and the division of obstetrics and gynecology in a hospital.


METHODS
Sixteen normally ovulating women.


METHODS
Ovulation induction for IVF-ET with an LH-releasing hormone analogue and gonadotropins.


METHODS
E2 and progesterone were assayed in the media conditioned by granulosa cells with the use of a double-antibody RIA.


RESULTS
Neuropeptide Y stimulates E2 production in a dose-dependent fashion. Preincubation for 3 hours with hCG led to a statistically significant increase in neuropeptide Y-induced E2 secretion. In contrast, whereas 3 hours of preincubation with 10(-7) mol/L of neuropeptide Y did not elicit a statistically significant increase in hCG-induced E2 secretion, coincubation for 48 hours significantly increased hCG-stimulated secretion. Unlike E2, progesterone secretion did not undergo any statistically significant or dose-dependent variation after treatment with neuropeptide Y.


CONCLUSIONS
Neuropeptide Y plays a role in human ovarian steroidogenesis directly at the level of the granulosa cells of the follicles in the early stage of luteinization. In this way, neuropeptide Y could play an important role in controlling the positive feedback effect exerted by the ovarian steroids on LH-releasing hormone and gonadotropins in humans.
Barreca
A
A
Department of Endocrinology and Metabolism, University of Genova, Italy. barreca@csita.unige.it
Valli
B
B
Cesarone
A
A
Arvigo
M
M
Balasini
M
M
Battista La Sala
G
G
Garrone
S
S
Minuto
F
F
Giordano
G
G
D000328:Adult; D002478:Cells, Cultured; D006063:Chorionic Gonadotropin / Q000494:pharmacology; D004958:Estradiol / Q000378:metabolism*; D005260:Female; D006107:Granulosa Cells / Q000187:drug effects* / Q000378:metabolism; D006801:Humans; D009478:Neuropeptide Y / Q000494:pharmacology*; D011374:Progesterone / Q000378:metabolism*; D011446:Prospective Studies
D006063:Chorionic Gonadotropin; D009478:Neuropeptide Y; D011374:Progesterone; D004958:Estradiol