Involvement of macrophage colony-stimulating factor (M-CSF) in the function of follicular granulosa cells.
OBJECTIVE
To evaluate the role of macrophage colony-stimulating factor (M-CSF) in steroidogenesis by luteinized granulosa cells (GCs) and to examine the effect of FSH, E(2), and P on the production of M-CSF by GCs.


METHODS
In vitro experimental study.


METHODS
University hospital with an IVF-intracytoplasmic sperm injection program.


METHODS
Forty infertile women who underwent intracytoplasmatic sperm injection.


METHODS
The GCs obtained from these patients during oocyte retrieval were cultured and then treated with different concentrations of M-CSF, FSH, E(2), or P for 72 hours.


METHODS
The M-CSF concentrations were determined by ELISA, and the concentrations of E(2) and P were measured by enzyme immunoassay.


RESULTS
The M-CSF secretion of GCs was enhanced by FSH or E(2) in vitro in a dose-dependent manner but was unaffected by P. On the other hand, M-CSF elicited a production of E(2) and P by GCs in a dose-dependent manner in the presence or absence of FSH.


CONCLUSIONS
The results suggest that the growth factor M-CSF might have an important role in ovarian function.
Zhang
Zhifen
Z
Department of Gynecology, Women's Hospital, Zhejiang University School of Medicine, Hangzhou, China. zhangzf_hz@hotmail.com
Fang
Qin
Q
Wang
Jianmin
J
D000328:Adult; D002478:Cells, Cultured; D004305:Dose-Response Relationship, Drug; D004958:Estradiol / Q000008:administration & dosage*; D005260:Female; D005640:Follicle Stimulating Hormone / Q000008:administration & dosage*; D005498:Follicular Phase / Q000187:drug effects / Q000502:physiology*; D006801:Humans; D008184:Luteal Cells / Q000187:drug effects / Q000378:metabolism*; D016173:Macrophage Colony-Stimulating Factor / Q000378:metabolism*; D011374:Progesterone / Q000008:administration & dosage*
D011374:Progesterone; D004958:Estradiol; D016173:Macrophage Colony-Stimulating Factor; D005640:Follicle Stimulating Hormone