Modulation of the steroidogenesis of cultured human granulosa-lutein cells by gonadotropin-releasing hormone analogs.

GnRH analogs are widely used in reproductive medicine to create a hypogonadotropic hypogonadism. However, numerous animal studies have demonstrated a direct regulation of the gonadal function by GnRH. To ascertain this direct ovarian effect in humans, the steroidogenesis of cultured human granulosa cells was studied with or without GnRH and five of its agonists.

Culture of human preovulatory granulosa cells: effect of extracellular matrix on steroidogenesis.

Human luteal granulosa cells, harvested from preovulatory follicles during in vitro fertilization attempts, were cultured in a serum-precoated substratum ('serum cells') or on a collagen matrix ('collagen cells'). Concerning the 'serum cell' model, E2 secretion was very low in the absence of androgen; when androstenedione was added to the culture medium, cells secreted 180 +/- 52 pmol/ml/24 h of estradiol, 440 +/- 78 pmol/ml/24 h of testosterone and lower quantities of estrone and estriol. Follicle stimulating hormone induced a significant increase in estradiol and estriol, while the secretion of the other steroids was not altered.