Effect of luteinization stimulator and androgens on maturation of porcine granulosa cells.
Luteinization stimulator (LS), an intrafollicular compound of preovulatory (5-8 mm) follicles, enhanced both basal and gonadotropins-stimulated production of progesterone (P4) by immature granulosa cells. The activity of LS was found in cell conditioned media (CM) obtained after the 3-day cultivation of preovulatory granulosa cells. Influence of testosterone, androstenedione and dihydrotestosterone on LS-enhanced P4 secretion was tested in culture of granulosa cells isolated from small follicles (1-3 mm). Small porcine granulosa cells were cultivated with or without LS in the presence of testosterone, androstenedione and dihydrotestosterone in concentration 10-10, 10-8 and 10-6 mol.l-1. In the absence of LS, P4 production in the media with androgens was not significantly different from controls. LS alone significantly enhanced progesterone production by SGC. Androgens present in the culture media together with LS decreased a stimulatory influence of LS on P4 secretion. These data suggest a possible modulation of granulosa cells maturation by androgens.
Vranova
J
Institute of Experimental Endocrinology, Slovak Academy of Sciences, Vlarska 3, 833 06 Bratislava, Slovakia.
Jezova
M
Scukova
S
Kolena
J