Acute and chronic effects of genistein, tyrphostin and lavendustin A on steroid synthesis in luteinized human granulosa cells.

Background: Phytoestrogens, including genistein and other inhibitors of tyrosine kinases (TKs), inhibit specific steroidogenic enzymes. This study was designed to compare the effects of genistein, with two other TK inhibitors, on steroid synthesis in human granulosa luteal (GL) cells and to identify which steroidogenic enzymes they may affect.

Methods: GL cells, obtained from women undergoing IVF procedures, were cultured for various periods of time with and without substrates for progesterone and estradiol synthesis, in the presence or absence of the TK inhibitors.