Polycystic ovary syndrome: evidence for reduced 3 beta-hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase gene expression in human luteinizing granulosa cells.
In a preview study we found that luteinizing granulosa cells from follicles of patients with polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) have a reduced capacity to synthesize progesterone in vitro. Because the 3 beta-hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase/delta 5-delta 4-isomerase (3 beta-HSD) is an important enzyme for the biosynthesis of progesterone, the reduced capacity of PCO luteinizing granulosa cells to synthesize progesterone in vitro may be due to reduced 3 beta-HSD gene expression. A reverse transcriptase polymerase chain reaction for 3 beta-HSD was performed and the relative intensity of signals for 3 beta-HSD was evaluated using computer-assisted densitometry. Cells from polycystic ovaries expressed less 3 beta-HSD in follicles < or 10 mm (p < 0.05) and in follicles > or 16 mm (p < 0.05) than cells from normal ovaries. Furthermore, after human chorionic gonadotropin stimulus (50 ng/ml), cells from polycystic ovaries expressed less 3 beta-HSD in follicles > or = 16 mm (p < 0.01) than cells from normal ovaries. The data show that there is a specific change in the gene expression of 3 beta-HSD in PCO granulosa cells resulting in a suppressed capacity to secrete progesterone.
Doldi
N
N
Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, University of Milan, Italy.
Grossi
D
D
Destefani
A
A
Gessi
A
A
Ferrari
A
A
D015096:3-Hydroxysteroid Dehydrogenases / Q000235:genetics*; D002478:Cells, Cultured; D006063:Chorionic Gonadotropin / Q000494:pharmacology; D005260:Female; D015870:Gene Expression; D006107:Granulosa Cells / Q000187:drug effects / Q000201:enzymology*; D006801:Humans; D011085:Polycystic Ovary Syndrome / Q000201:enzymology*; D011374:Progesterone / Q000378:metabolism; D012313:RNA / Q000032:analysis; D020133:Reverse Transcriptase Polymerase Chain Reaction
D006063:Chorionic Gonadotropin; D011374:Progesterone; D012313:RNA; D015096:3-Hydroxysteroid Dehydrogenases