Aromatase activity of human granulosa cells in vitro: effects of gonadotrophins and follicular fluid.
The aim of this study was to assess whether human dominant follicular fluid has the ability to modulate aromatase activity and/or granulosa cell proliferation. Dominant follicular fluid was obtained by laparoscopy before the luteinizing hormone surge in naturally cycling women while granulosa cells used in the tests were obtained from in-vitro fertilization patients. Aromatase was measured by the tritiated water release assay, following a 48 h incubation with follicular fluid and serum, and expressed for 5x10(4) granulosa cells. The effects of a range of follicular fluid or serum concentrations (2.5, 5, 10 and 20%) were compared. A decrease in aromatase activity was observed when high follicular fluid concentrations (20%) (P < 0.01) were added. Low concentrations (2.5%) of follicular fluid significantly increased cell proliferation (P < 0.01) as compared to basal values (0%). No further stimulation was however observed when concentrations increased up to 20%. Further characterization of these compounds is required to understand how they may modulate maturation of the dominant follicle.
D001141:Aromatase / Q000378:metabolism*; D002455:Cell Division / Q000187:drug effects; D002478:Cells, Cultured; D002851:Chromatography, High Pressure Liquid; D004353:Drug Evaluation, Preclinical; D005260:Female; D005307:Fertilization in Vitro; D015571:Follicular Fluid / Q000187:drug effects* / Q000201:enzymology; D006062:Gonadotropins / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D006107:Granulosa Cells / Q000187:drug effects* / Q000201:enzymology; D006801:Humans; D007700:Kinetics; D015203:Reproducibility of Results; D013256:Steroids / Q000378:metabolism