Human chorionic gonadotropin suppresses ovarian epithelial neoplastic cell proliferation in vitro.

Objective: To quantify the in vitro effects of gonadotropins on benign, borderline, and malignant ovarian cell lines.

Design: In vitro cell culture.

Setting: Research laboratory.

Patient(s): None.

Intervention(s): Three hormonally sensitive ovarian neoplastic cell lines were exposed to control medium, FSH (40 mIU/mL), hCG (200 mIU/mL), and a combination of FSH and hCG.

Main Outcome Measure(s): Cellular proliferation measured by a colorimetric (MTT) assay.

Result(s): Growth of the cell lines was similar when exposed to control or FSH. In the presence of hCG alone, the cell lines demonstrated decreased proliferation when compared to control or FSH alone. When hCG was given in combination with FSH, there was decreased proliferation of the cell lines compared to control or FSH alone.

Conclusion(s): Growth of benign, borderline, and malignant ovarian epithelial cell lines is inhibited by hCG at levels, which are commonly achieved with hCG administration during ovulation induction or as a result of trophoblastic production in early pregnancy.