Modulation of steroidogenesis in human ovarian granulosa cells during aging.

Objective: To investigate the in vitro effect of endothelin-1 (ET-1) on the steroid production (progesterone [P] and estradiol [E2]) by cultured human granulosa cells (GCs) during aging.

Material And Methods: Human ovarian GCs and granulosa-luteal cells (GLCs) were isolated from ovaries of female patients (young and premenopausal) undergoing surgery for non-ovarian benign gynecological conditions. Cells were cultured with ET-1 in the presence or in the absence of FSH. The concentrations of P and E2 in conditioned media were determined by means of RIA.

Results: In human GCs and GLCs obtained from young and premenopausal women, ET-1 in vitro can significantly reduce the FSH stimulated biosynthesis of P, whereas the basal P biosynthesis is only insignificantly diminished. The in vitro application of ET-1 have only a sparse inhibitory effect on both the basal and FSH stimulated biosynthesis of E2 in GCs from the two patient groups.

Conclusions: Our findings support the opinion that ET-1 is a local regulator of ovarian steroidogenesis which might modulate the steroid production and the stimulatory effect of FSH in cultured GCs and GLCs obtained from women at various ages.