The endocrine activity of isolated follicular cells of the carp ovary in primary culture

Abstract

Oocytes were isolated from the ovaries of carp females of one breed. Interstitial tissue was mechanically removed in order to obtain single oocytes surrounded only by the follicular envelope. Such a preparation was trypsinized at room temperature and also with greater success at 37°C. The follicular cell suspension contained both cells and cell clumps. It was the mixture of theca (T) and granulosa (G) cells. The temperature of 37°C was preferable for the successful growth of the cells in tissue culture. The cells were grown as monolayers in Leighton tubes in Medium 199 supplemented with calf serum. Activity of Δ 5, 3β-hydroxy-steroid dehydrogenase (Δ 5, 3β-HSD) was detected in the growing cells by a histochemical test. Culture media were analyzed for estrogen, androgen, and progesterone content by appropriate radioimmunoassays. Follicular cells prior to and in culture exhibited activity of the Δ 5, 3β-HSD and secreted steroid hormones into the culture medium.