Nitric oxide stimulates the production of atrial natriuretic peptide and progesterone by human granulosa luteinized cells with an antiapoptotic effect.

Objective: To study the effect of nitric oxide (NO) on atrial natriuretic peptide (ANP) and progesterone (P) production by human granulose luteinized cells (GLC) in vitro and to elucidate their role on the survival of cultured cells.

Methods: Human GLCs were cultured in HAM's F10/10% FCS as monolayers for 24 h. Subsequently GLCs were treated for 24 h with 0.

Expression of atrial natriuretic peptide, progesterone, apoptosis-related proteins and caspase-3 in in vitro luteinized and leptin-treated porcine granulosa cells.

Objective: Our aim was to examine the expression patterns of ANP, the rate of apoptosis bcl-2 and p53 expression and caspase-3 activity and progesterone (P) production in porcine granulosa cells (pGCs) stimulated in vitro for luteinization and after treatment with leptin.

Methods: Freshly isolated prepubertal pGCs were cultured as monolayers for 24 h, subsequently FSH was supplemented for 24 h, and finally LH was added to a part of the cells for 24 h to induce luteinization. The effect of leptin on in vitro luteinized pGCs was tested by the addition of 10 ng/ml human recombinant leptin (hrL) 24 h after LH administration.

Localization of atrial natriuretic peptide in pig granulosa cells isolated from ovarian follicles of various size.

The aim of the current study was to present the spatial distribution of atrial natriuretic peptide (ANP) in short-term cultures of pig granulosa cells obtained from small, medium, and large ovarian follicles. The specific immunoreactivity was detected by three monoclonal antibodies recognizing different epitopes of the ANP molecule (Mab 6C3, Mab 6F11, Mab5D3). The specific ANP immunoreactivity detected by Mab 6C3 and Mab 6F11 showed dense staining of cytoplasm and was similar in granulosa cells from small and medium follicles.