Phase-dependent influence of nonsteroidogenic cells on steroidogenesis and prostaglandin production by the human corpus luteum.
OBJECTIVE
To test the hypothesis that paraluteal cells in the human corpus luteum (CL) modulate steroidogenesis and prostaglandin production by the CL.


METHODS
In vitro cell culture study using human luteal cells.


METHODS
Women (n = 7) with normal menstrual cycles who were undergoing operations for benign, nonovarian conditions during the midluteal phase (5-9 days after ovulation) or the late luteal phase (10-14 days after ovulation) at a university hospital.


METHODS
Steroidogenic and nonsteroidogenic human CL cells were isolated by mechanical and enzymatic digestion and density sedimentation. The cells were cultured (75,000 cells per well) for 24 hours either as a crude sample of all CL cells or as an enriched fraction of steroidogenic CL cells.


METHODS
Levels of progesterone, E2, prostaglandins F2alpha, E2, and I2 in conditioned medium.


RESULTS
Higher concentrations of progesterone, E2, and prostaglandins F2alpha, E2, and I2 were released into the media of the crude sample of all CL cells than into the enriched fraction of steroidogenic CL cells from the midluteal phase. No such difference was noted in CL cells from the late luteal phase.


CONCLUSIONS
The paraluteal cells in the human CL stimulated progesterone and E2 synthesis. This may be mediated by an increase in prostaglandin production in the midluteal phase.
Fridén
B E
BE
Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Sahlgrenska University Hospital, Göteborg University, Sweden. barbro.friden@medfak.gu.se
Wallin
A
A
Brännström
M
M
D000328:Adult; D002478:Cells, Cultured; D006063:Chorionic Gonadotropin / Q000494:pharmacology; D003338:Corpus Luteum / Q000166:cytology* / Q000187:drug effects / Q000378:metabolism*; D015237:Dinoprost / Q000096:biosynthesis; D015232:Dinoprostone / Q000096:biosynthesis; D011464:Epoprostenol / Q000096:biosynthesis; D004958:Estradiol / Q000378:metabolism; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008597:Menstrual Cycle / Q000502:physiology*; D011374:Progesterone / Q000378:metabolism; D011453:Prostaglandins / Q000096:biosynthesis*; D013256:Steroids / Q000378:metabolism*
D006063:Chorionic Gonadotropin; D011453:Prostaglandins; D013256:Steroids; D011374:Progesterone; D004958:Estradiol; D015237:Dinoprost; D011464:Epoprostenol; D015232:Dinoprostone