The effects of levonorgestrel on FSH-stimulated primary rat granulosa cell cultures through gene expression profiling are associated to hormone and folliculogenesis processes.
Levonorgestrel (LNG), a synthetic progestin, is used in emergency contraception (EC). The mechanism is preventing or delaying ovulation at the level of the hypothalamic pituitary unit; however, little knowledge exists on LNG effects at the ovary. The aim of this study was to identify the effects of LNG on FSH-induced 17β-estradiol (E2) production, including LNG-mediated changes on global gene expression in rat granulosa cells (GC). Isolated GC from female Wistar rats were incubated in vitro in the presence or absence of human FSH and progestins. At the end of incubations, culture media and cells were collected for E2and mRNA quantitation. The results showed the ability of LNG to inhibit both hFSH-induced E2production and aromatase gene expression. Microarray analysis revealed that LNG treatment affects GC functionality particularly that related to folliculogenesis and steroid metabolism. These results may offer additional evidence for the mechanisms of action of LNG as EC.
Department of Reproductive Biology, Instituto Nacional de Ciencias Médicas y Nutrición Salvador Zubirán, Avenida Vasco de Quiroga No. 15, Ciudad de México 14080, México. Electronic address: saul.liraa@incmnsz.mx.
Saúl
S
Lira-Albarrán
Department of Computational Genomics, Instituto Nacional de Medicina Genómica, Periférico Sur No. 4809, Ciudad de México 14610, México. Electronic address: marcof80@gmail.com.
Marco F
MF
Larrea-Schiavon
Department of Reproductive Biology, Instituto Nacional de Ciencias Médicas y Nutrición Salvador Zubirán, Avenida Vasco de Quiroga No. 15, Ciudad de México 14080, México. Electronic address: leti1903@yahoo.com.mx.
Leticia
L
González
Department of Reproductive Biology, Instituto Nacional de Ciencias Médicas y Nutrición Salvador Zubirán, Avenida Vasco de Quiroga No. 15, Ciudad de México 14080, México. Electronic address: mdurand65@gmail.com.
Marta
M
Durand
Department of Computational Genomics, Instituto Nacional de Medicina Genómica, Periférico Sur No. 4809, Ciudad de México 14610, México. Electronic address: crangel@inmegen.gob.mx.
Claudia
C
Rangel
Department of Reproductive Biology, Instituto Nacional de Ciencias Médicas y Nutrición Salvador Zubirán, Avenida Vasco de Quiroga No. 15, Ciudad de México 14080, México. Electronic address: fernando.larreag@incmnsz.mx.
Fernando
F
Larrea
D000818:Animals; D002478:Cells, Cultured; D015536:Down-Regulation / Q000235:genetics; D004958:Estradiol / Q000096:biosynthesis; D004967:Estrogens / Q000096:biosynthesis; D005260:Female; D005640:Follicle Stimulating Hormone / Q000494:pharmacology*; D020869:Gene Expression Profiling; D006107:Granulosa Cells / Q000187:drug effects / Q000378:metabolism*; D016912:Levonorgestrel / Q000494:pharmacology*; D005810:Multigene Family; D020411:Oligonucleotide Array Sequence Analysis; D038081:Organogenesis / Q000187:drug effects / Q000235:genetics*; D011374:Progesterone / Q000494:pharmacology; D017208:Rats, Wistar; D060888:Real-Time Polymerase Chain Reaction; D015203:Reproducibility of Results; D015398:Signal Transduction / Q000187:drug effects / Q000235:genetics; D015854:Up-Regulation / Q000235:genetics
D004967:Estrogens; D011374:Progesterone; D004958:Estradiol; D016912:Levonorgestrel; D005640:Follicle Stimulating Hormone
Contraception; Gene transcription; Granulosa cells; Levonorgestrel