Regulation of Proliferation and Steroidogenesis in Human Granulosa Cells

Abstract

Background and Aims : Human follicles selected for further development are thought to receive precise signals from gonadotropins and locally produced growth factors for survival. In this experiment, the mechanisms of the regulation of proliferation and steroidogenesis by GDF-9 and Br-cAMP in human ovarian cells were investigated. Methods : SVOG cells were cultured and treated with GDF-9 and Br-cAMP. The expression of HOXA7 and cofactors were examined by Western blot analysis and/or RT-PCR. The cell proliferation was measured by thymidine incorporation assay. Results : Treatment with GDF-9 resulted in a significant increase of cell proliferation. Although the treatment with Br-cAMP increased the expression of StAR protein, this treatment resulted in a significant decrease of cell proliferation compared with the control and no change in HOXA7 or its cofactors. Conclusion : The present study demonstrated that GDF-9 had a stimulatory effect and cAMP had an inhibitory effect on the proliferation of SVOG cells. These results may reflect the characteristics of this human cell line as luteinized granulosa cell. Therefore, this culture system will be useful for studying the effects of local factors and gonadotropin on the regulation of human luteinized granulosa cells in the future.