Progestin regulation of progesterone biosynthetic enzymes in cultured rat granulosa cells

Progestins have recently been shown to augment gonadotropin-stimulated progesterone and 20 alpha-hydroxypregn-4-en-3-one (20 alpha-OH-P) biosynthesis in cultured rat granulosa cells. The mechanism by which progestins autoregulate ovarian progestin biosynthesis was investigated by studying the modulation of pregnenolone biosynthesis as well as the activities of the enzymes 3 beta-hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase (3 beta-HSD) and 20 alpha-hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase (20 alpha-HSD). Granulosa cells obtained from immature hypophysectomized, estrogen-treated rats were cultured with FSH and/or progestins. Pregnenolone production was measured in the presence of cyanoketone (10(-6) M) to inhibit 3 beta-HSD activity. Enzymatic activities of 3 beta-HSD and 20 alpha-HSD were determined in cell homogenates by direct enzyme assays. FSH stimulated pregnenolone production, while treatment with progesterone or R5020 alone was ineffective. Concomitant treatment with the progestins further enhanced FSH-stimulated pregnenolone production in a dose-dependent manner with minimal effective doses of 10(-8) and 10(-7) M for R5020 and progesterone, respectively. In FSH-primed cells, LH increased pregnenolone accumulation, and concomitant treatment with R5020 also enhanced the LH action. Furthermore, the gonadotropins stimulated the activity of 3 beta-HSD, and this effect was further enhanced by concomitant treatment with either R5020 or progesterone in a dose-dependent manner. In addition, the 20 alpha-HSD activities were enhanced by progestins in cells treated with FSH but not with LH. Thus, both natural and synthetic progestins stimulate the gonadotropin-induced progesterone production in cultured granulosa cells via enhancing the 3 beta-HSD enzyme as well as pregnenolone biosynthesis.     

R5020 enhances PGE2 stimulated steroidogenesis in cultured rat granulosa cells.

Progesterone biosynthesis and metabolization to 20 alpha-hydroxyprogesterone was stimulated in granulosa cells cultured in the presence of 20 ng/ml of follicle stimulating hormone (FSH) or increasing concentrations of PGE2 (10(-9)-10(-7)M). Concurrent treatment with the synthetic progestin R5020 (10(-6) M) enhanced the FSH or PGE2 stimulated progesterone and 20 alpha-hydroxyprogesterone accumulation in culture media, as well as delta 5-3 beta-hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase activity in granulosa cell homogenates. These findings may represent another example of an autocrine control mechanism in which the steroidogenic product of the granulosa cell exerts an ultra-short loop regulation of its own production.     

Medroxyprogesterone acetate: receptor binding and correlated effects on steroidogenesis in rat granulosa cells

Medroxyprogesterone acetate (MPA), a widely used synthetic steroid, was studied to determine both its effects on steroid receptors and steroidogenesis in the well-characterized rat ovarian granulosa cell model. Initial receptor binding studies showed MPA was as potent as progesterone and 10-fold less potent than R-5020 (an active synthetic progestin) in binding to progesterone cytosolic receptors in rat ovarian granulosa cells. MPA was 20-fold less potent than testosterone, and 10-fold less potent than dexamethasone in binding to the androgen and glucocorticoid cytosolic receptors, respectively. The binding of MPA to progestrone, androgen and glucocorticoid receptors predicted direct effects of MPA on FSH-stimulated estrogen (E), progesterone (P), and 20 alpha-dihydroprogesterone (DHP) production by cultured rat ovarian granulosa cells. MPA at 10(-7) to 10(-6) M significantly augmented FSH-stimulated P and DHP production (a previously documented progestin, androgen and glucocorticoid effect). This augmentation was blocked by the concurrent addition to cell culture of 10-fold excess RU-486 (a potent anti-progestin and anti-glucocorticoid). At concentrations greater than 10(-6) M, MPA inhibited the production of P and DHP (a progestin effect), and the production of E (a progestin and glucocorticoid effect). MPA, structurally a progestin, has complex steroid hormone effects predicted by its interaction with progesterone, androgen and glucocorticoid receptors.     

Androgen and FSH synergistically stimulate lipoprotein degradation and utilization by ovary granulosa cells

Androgen can directly modulate the induction of steroidogenic enzymes by FSH (follicle stimulating hormone) in ovary granulosa cells. In studies of its mechanism of action, we examined the androgen effect on granulosa cell interaction with lipoproteins, the physiologic source of cholesterol. After granulosa cells were cultured for 48 hours with and without androgen and/or FSH, the cells were incubated for 24 hours with ¹²⁵I-lipoproteins [human high density lipoprotein (HDL), rat HDL, or human low density lipoprotein (LDL)]. The media were then analyzed for lipoprotein protein coat degradation products (mainly ¹²⁵I-monoiodotyrosine) and progestin [mainly 20α-dihydroprogesterone (20α-DHP)]. In the absence of FSH and androgen, 2 × 10⁵ granulosa cells degraded basal levels of all three lipoproteins, but produced no measurable 20α-DHP. The addition of 10^?7 M androstenedione (A), testosterone (T), or 5α-dihydrotestosterone (DHT) had no effect on lipoprotein protein degradation or 20α-DHP production. FSH alone stimulated lipoprotein protein degradation by 50 to 300% while the addition of androgen synergistically augmented the FSH-stimulated 20α-DHP production as well as protein coat degradation of all three lipoproteins. DHT and T were both effective, indicating that androgens themselves, and not estrogen products, were responsible for the effect on lipoprotein protein degradation and 20α-DHP production. The addition of a 10-fold excess cyproterone acetate (an anti-androgen) inhibited the effect of T, suggesting that the action of T was mediated by the granulosa cell androgen receptor. Androgen and FSH also synergistically stimulated the production of ³H-progestin when the granulosa cells were incubated with either ³H-cholesterol ester core labeled human HDL or similarly labeled human LDL. This report demonstrates that androgen, in combination with FSH, augments the steroidogenic pathway of the granulosa cell from the degradation of lipoprotein and utilization of the cholesterol ester core, to the production of progestin product.     

Androgen regulation of progestin biosynthetic enzymes in FSH-treated rat granulosa cells in vitro

The influence of androgens on the FSH modulation of progestin biosynthetic enzymes was studied $\text{in vitro}$. Granulosa cells obtained from immature, hypophysectomized, estrogen-treated rats were cultured for 3 days in a serum-free medium containing FSH (20 ng/ml) with or without increasing concentrations (10^?9?10^?6 M) of 17β-hydroxy-5α-androstan-3-one (dihydrotestosterone; DHT), 5α-androstane-3α, 17β-diol (3α-diol), or the synthetic androgen 17β-hydroxy-17-methyl-4,9,11-estratrien-3-one (methyltrienolone; R1881). FSH treatment increased progesterone and 20α-hydroxy-4-pregnen-3-one(20α-OH-P) production by 10.2- and 11-fold, respectively. Concurrent androgen treatment augmented FSH-stimulated progesterone and 20α-OH-P production in a dose-related manner (R1881 > 3α-diol > DHT). In the presence of an inhibitor of 3β-hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase (3β-HSD), the FSH-stimulated pregnenolone (3β-hydroxy-5-pregnen-20-one) production (a 20-fold increase) was further enhanced by co-treatment with R1881, 3α-diol or DHT. Furthermore, FSH treatment increased 4.4-fold the activity of 3β-HSD, which converts pregnenolone to progesterone. This stimulatory action of FSH was further augmented by concurrent androgen treatment. In contrast, androgen treatment did not affect FSH-stimulated activity of a progesterone breakdown enzyme, 20α-hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase(20α-HSD). These results demonstrate that the augmenting effect of androgens upon FSH-stimulated progesterone biosynthesis is not due to changes in the conversion of progesterone to 20α-OH-P, but involves an enhancing action upon 3β-HSDΔ⁵, Δ⁴-isomerase complexes and additional enzymes prior to pregnenolone biosynthesis.     

Regulation of ovarian progestin production by epidermal growth factor in cultured rat granulosa cells

The modulation of ovarian steroidogenesis by epidermal growth factor (EGF) was investigated in cultured rat granulosa cells. Granulosa cells, obtained from ovaries of immature, hypophysectomized, estrogen-treated rats, were incubated for 2 days with EGF, follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH), or EGF plus FSH. Treatment with EGF did not affect estrogen production, but stimulated progestin (i.e. progesterone and 20 alpha-hydroxy-pregn-4-en-3-one) production in a dose-dependent manner. Stimulation of progestin production by EGF appears to be the result of an increase in pregnenolone biosynthesis as well as increases in the activities of 20 alpha-hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase and 3 beta-hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase/isomerase. Treatment with FSH increased both estrogen and progestin production by cultured granulosa cells. When cells were treated concomitantly with EGF, FSH-stimulated estrogen production was inhibited, while progestin production was further enhanced. The EGF enhancement of FSH-stimulated progestin production appears to be the result of synergistic increases in pregnenolone biosynthesis and 20 alpha-hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase activity, resulting in substantial increases in 20 alpha-hydroxypregn-4-en-3-one but not progesterone production. The effects of EGF were shown to be time-dependent. The concept of a direct action of EGF on rat granulosa cells is reinforced by the demonstration of high affinity (Kd approximately 3 X 10(-10) M), low capacity (approximately 5,000 sites/cell) EGF binding sites in these cells. Thus, EGF interacts with specific granulosa cell receptors to stimulate progestin but to inhibit estrogen biosynthesis.     

R1881 regulation of steroidogenesis in cultured testicular cells

The influence of a synthetic androgen R1881 upon hCG stimulated steroidogenesis in cultured rat testicular cells was investigated. Testicular cells were cultured for 8 days in medium alone and thereafter reincubated for 48 h with appropriate treatments before the collection of media for steroid RIA. Addition of R1881 (10(-6) M) resulted in an overall decrease of hCG (0.3-10 ng/ml) stimulated pregnenolone and progesterone production by cultured cells. The conversion of exogenous steroids of the delta 4 pathway (progesterone,17 alpha-OH-P and delta 4-A) was also studied in cultures supplemented with cyanoketone (10(-5) M) and/or spironolactone (10(-5) M) to prevent endogenous testosterone production. R1881 inhibited progesterone and 17 alpha-OH-P conversion to testosterone (T) and was ineffective when delta 4-A served as precursor for T biosynthesis. The inhibitory effect of R1881 upon Testosterone production was prevented by concomitant treatment with CPA. These observations suggest that R1881 decreases the hCG stimulated testosterone production via inhibition of CSCCE,3 beta-HSD,C17-20 Lyase and likely 17 alpha-Hydroxylase, whereas no effect on 17 beta-HSD could be observed.     

Vasoactive intestinal peptide: a novel stimulator of steroidogenesis by cultured rat granulosa cells

Vasoactive intestinal peptide (VIP) and VIPergic nerve fibers are present in the ovaries of several mammalian species, suggesting a possible ovarian action of VIP. We have investigated the direct effects of synthetic porcine VIP on rat granulosa cell steroidogenesis in vitro. The cells were obtained from immature, hypophysectomized, estrogen-primed rats, and cultured in a serum-free medium for 24 h in the absence or presence of varying amounts of VIP. Medium steroids were then determined by specific radioimmunoassay. Vasoactive intestinal peptide dose-dependently stimulated progesterone, 20 alpha-hydroxypregn-4-ene-3-one (20 alpha-OH-progesterone), and estrogen production with an approximate ED50 value of 3 X 10(-8) M. Maximum steroid production induced by VIP ranged from 15% to 28% of that seen with maximal follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH) stimulation. In contrast to the ability of FSH to induce luteinizing hormone (LH) receptor formation, treatment with VIP did not increase [125I]iodo-human chorionic gonadotropin (hCG) binding to granulosa cells. The ability of several gastrointestinal peptides, having 17-44% sequence identity to VIP, to stimulate granulosa cell steroidogenesis was also tested. The most closely related peptide, PHM-27 was less effective than VIP, and the least closely related, secretin and glucagon, were ineffective at 10(-6) M. Vasoactive intestinal peptide seems to act at least partly through cyclic 3',5'-adenosine monophosphate (cAMP)-dependent processes: addition of a phosphodiesterase inhibitor significantly potentiated the VIP stimulation of granulosa cell steroidogenesis, and VIP was capable of producing a dose- and time-dependent increase in both intracellular and medium cAMP levels. Vasoactive intestinal peptide stimulation of estrogen production seemed to be a result of increased aromatase activity. The increased progesterone production was associated with increased pregnenolone production, increased rate of conversion of pregnenolone to progesterone via 3 beta-hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase, and decreased metabolism of progesterone via 20 alpha-hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase. These results indicate that VIP exerts a specific action on granulosa cells to increase estrogen and progestin production. The observed direct effects of VIP, coupled with its identification in the ovary, suggest that VIP may be a physiologically important regulator of ovarian activity.     

Androgens amplify beta-adrenergic and FSH stimulation of granulosa cells

The effects of androgens on granulosa cell stimulation by isoproterenol and follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH) were determined. Two functional parameters of granulosa cell stimulation were monitored: (a) activity of a transfected proopiomelanocortin (POMC) promoter and (b) production of progesterone. Treatment with the beta-adrenergic agonist, isoproterenol, stimulated steroidogenesis, and both isoproterenol and FSH appeared to enhance POMC promoter activity. The non-aromatizable androgen, 5 alpha-dihydrotestosterone (DHT), produced no effect on either parameter, but it potentiated the steroidogenic response to isoproterenol. Preliminary data also indicated a potentiation by DHT of the FSH-mediated increase in POMC promoter activity; results with a combination of DHT and isoproterenol were suggestive of potentiation. A possible role for androgen amplification of adrenergic stimulation in polycystic ovarian syndrome is discussed.     

Estrogens augment the stimulation of ovarian aromatase activity by follicle-stimulating hormone in cultured rat granulosa cells

The effects of estrogens on ovarian aromatase activity were investigated in vitro using granulosa cells from immature hypophysectomized estrogen-primed rats. The cells were cultured for 3 days in an androgen-free medium in the presence of follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH), with or without the specified estrogen. After washing, the cells were reincubated for 5 h with 10(-7) M androstenedione, and the formation of estrogens was measured. Estrogen production by control and diethylstilbestrol-treated cells was negligible, while FSH stimulated aromatase activity. Furthermore, concomitant treatment with diethylstilbestrol led to dose-dependent increases in the FSH-induced aromatase activity with an ED50 value of 4 X 10(-9) M and an apparent Vmax value 12- to 16-fold higher than those induced by FSH alone. The direct stimulatory effect of estrogens was time-dependent and was not accounted for by increases in cell protein. Various native and synthetic estrogens also augmented the FSH induction of aromatases (native estrogens: estradiol-17 beta = estrone greater than estradiol-17 alpha greater than estriol; synthetic estrogens: hexestrol greater than moxestrol greater than ethinyl estradiol much greater than chlorotrianisene and mestranol). The effect of estradiol-17 beta was dose-dependent with an ED50 value of 9 X 10(-9) M, which is within the physiological levels of follicular estradiol-17 beta. Although treatment with androgens also enhanced the FSH-induced aromatases, treatment with a progestin (R5020) or a mineralocorticoid (aldosterone) was without effect. Thus, estrogens directly augment the stimulation of granulosa cell aromatase activity by FSH. Follicular estrogens may activate intraovarian autoregulatory positive feedback mechanisms to enhance their own production, resulting in selective follicle maturation and the preovulatory estrogen surge.     

Progestins and androgens stimulate lipid accumulation in T47D breast cancer cells via their own receptors

Using electron microscopy, in the human breast cancer cell line T47D, the synthetic progestin R5020, and 5 alpha-dihydrotestosterone were shown to increase significantly the number of lipid droplets per cell section compared to control cells or estradiol- and dexamethasone-treated cells. Lipid accumulation, as measured by Oil Red O dying and by [2-14C]acetate incorporation, was observed at concentrations as low as 10 pM R5020 and 1 nM 5 alpha-dihydrotestosterone, and was always more abundant after progestin treatment. The progestin antagonist RU486 inhibited, in a dose-dependent manner, lipid accumulation initiated by the two hormones, whereas the androgen antagonist flutamide inhibited only the effect initiated by 5 alpha-dihydrotestosterone. Cytoplasmic lipid droplets accumulation was not observed in the BT20 breast cancer cell line, which contains neither progesterone nor androgen receptors. These results indicate that progestins and androgens increase lipid accumulation by interacting with their own receptor. Chromatographic analysis of [2-14C]acetate labeled lipids showed that R5020 and 5 alpha-dihydrotestosterone enhanced the accumulation of cellular triglycerides at least in part by increasing their synthesis and decreased the quantity of lipids released into the medium. To conclude, we have shown that progestins and androgens, via their own receptor, can induce the same triglyceride accumulation in T47D cells. This effect follows fatty acid synthetase induction and precedes cell growth inhibition, two responses also triggered by progestin and androgen in these cells.     

Luteinization factor-stimulated steroidogenesis in porcine granulosa cells

Luteinization stimulator (LS), an intrafollicular compound of preovulatory (5-8 mm) follicles, increased both the basal and gonadotropins-stimulated production of progesterone by immature (1-3 mm) granulosa cells. The mechanism by which LS enhance steroidogenesis was investigated by studying the modulation of progesterone biosynthesis from exogenous cholesterol and pregnenolone in cultured porcine granulosa cells in serum-free medium. Progesterone production by cultured granulosa cells was stimulated by FSH, while treatment with 22-OH-cholesterol further enhanced the gonadotropin action. The activity of LS was found in cell conditioned media obtained after 3-day cultivation of preovulatory granulosa cells. Conversion of 22-OH-cholesterol into progesterone by granulosa cells isolated from small follicles was significantly stimulated in the presence LS in culture media. Also, progesterone production by granulosa cells in the presence of pregnenolone was increased considerably. Concomitant treatment with LS led to a further augmentation in progesterone synthesis. Endogenous formation of pregnenolone was inhibited by aminoglutethimide. Thus, LS enhancement of progesterone production in cultured porcine granulosa cells is associated with an increase in the activity of cytochrome P450 cholesterol side-chain cleavage and 3beta hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase enzymes.     

In vitro effects of dihydrotestosterone on granulosa cell production of estrogen and progesterone

To investigate the direct effects of androgens on follicle development, intact, immature female rats were given 8 IU PMSG (0 hour) and four injections of either vehicle or dihydrotestosterone (DHT), 1 mg/kg body weight, at 0, 12, 24, and 36 hours after PMSG. Granulosa cells from small (less than 200 microns), medium (200 to 400 microns), and large (greater than 400 microns) follicles were isolated and cultured in the presence or absence of 0.5 microM DHT in vitro for 48 hours, and the medium was assayed for progesterone and estrogen. Results show that DHT caused an increase in progesterone accumulation in all granulosa cells, regardless of follicle size. However, DHT inhibited estrogen accumulation in granulosa cells from different-size follicles and the inhibition varied depending on the duration of androgen exposure in vivo. The inhibition of estrogen accumulation was seen in granulosa cells from small follicles without prior exposure to DHT in vivo, while an inhibition of estrogen accumulation was seen in granulosa cells from medium and large follicles exposed to DHT treatment in vivo. Taken together, the results of experiments with in vivo and/or in vitro DHT treatment show that the androgen increases granulosa cell progesterone synthesis regardless of follicle size. However, the estrogen accumulation by granulosa cell is dependent on follicle size and duration of DHT exposure.     

Regulation of androgen receptor mRNA and protein level by steroid hormones in human mammary cancer cells.

The regulation of the human androgen receptor (AR) by steroid hormones in human mammary cancer cells was investigated using immunocytochemical and ligand binding assays for its protein and Northern blot analyses for the corresponding mRNA. MFM-223 cells contain high levels of ARs and are growth-inhibited by dihydrotestosterone (DHT). The AR protein is down-regulated to 57% of the control by 10 nM DHT after 24 h, and the corresponding mRNA is also reduced. The nonsteroidal antiandrogen hydroxyflutamide had no effect on the AR level, whereas after incubation with 1 microM cyproterone acetate a slight down-regulation was observed. The AR level was restored completely after release from a 7 day treatment with DHT. However, only 60% of the control level was restored, if the cells wer grown in the presence of DHT for 6 weeks. In androgen-pretreated cells the proliferation rate remained decreased even after the withdrawal of DHT. Concomitantly the distinct growth inhibition was lost. Transfection experiments demonstrated a reduced activity of the residual androgen receptor in these pretreated cells. In addition to the AR, EFM-19 cells also contain significant amounts of estrogen and progesterone receptors. EFM-19 cells are not growth inhibited by physiological concentrations of DHT. Autoregulation of AR was also found in this cell line. Additionally, reduced levels of AR protein and mRNA were found in EFM-19 cells after treatment with the synthetic progestin R5020. The maximum effect of R5020 was observed at the high concentration of 1 microM. Estrogen treatment with 10 nM 17 beta-estradiol for 3 days reduced the AR level only by 25%.     

Cultivation of rat granulosa cells in a serum-free chemically defined medium--a useful model to study lipoprotein metabolism

We have developed a chemically defined, serum-free medium for the culture of rat granulosa cells. This medium contains Dulbecco's modified Eagle's medium/Ham's nutrient F12 (DME:F12) (1:1) plus insulin (2 micrograms/ml), hydrocortisone (100 ng/ml), transferrin (5 micrograms/ml) and fibronectin (2 micrograms/cm2). Granulosa cells grown in this medium have an absolute requirement for added cholesterol-rich lipoproteins for steroidogenesis. When cells are cultured in basal medium, progestin production is low; when cells are cultured in the presence of follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH) or dibutyryl cAMP [Bu)2 cAMP), progestin secretion is increased 10-100-fold. Both heterologous and homologous lipoproteins synergistically increased the effects of (Bu)2 cAMP or FSH: e.g., addition to the medium of human (h)-HDL3 produced a significant increase in both basal (approx. 15-fold) and (Bu)2 cAMP-stimulated (approx. 1000-2000-fold) progestin production. LDL were less effective than HDL at equivalent concentrations of lipoprotein cholesterol. FSH invoked changes similar to that of (Bu)2 cAMP, although the magnitude of the FSH-induced change was less dramatic than that seen with (Bu)2 cAMP. The effect of h-HDL3 and h-LDL on both basal and hormone-stimulated progestin production was concentration- and time-dependent. The maximum effect of h-HDL3 was achieved at a protein concentration of 500 micrograms/ml, with an ED50 of approx. 90 micrograms/ml. In contrast, h-LDL was most effective at a concentration of 30-40 micrograms protein/ml. Likewise, rat (r-)HDL and r-LDL supported steroidogenesis in a concentration-dependent manner. Maximal responses to all additions were observed after 72 h of treatment. Granulosa cells secreted 20 alpha-hydroxypregn-4-ene-3-one as the predominant steroid in response to (Bu)2 cAMP. However, with the addition of h-HDL3, the major secreted product was progesterone. In conclusion, rat granulosa cells maintained in the described serum-free medium are exquisitely sensitive to supplied cholesterol-rich lipoproteins. When cultured in the presence of both lipoproteins and stimulatory agents, they produce from 1000-2000-times the progestins made by comparable cells maintained in medium alone. This responsiveness of the cells to both lipoprotein and hormone stimulation makes them uniquely suitable for studies involving the uptake and metabolism of lipoproteins during steroidogenesis.     

Binding of [3H] methyltrienolone (R 1881) in rat prostate and human benign prostatic hypertrophy (BPH).

Methyltrienolone (R 1881 - 17beta-hydroxy-17alpha-methyl-estra-4, 9, 11-trien-3-one) binding to rat ventral prostate cytosol has a specificity typical of an androgen receptor. In human benign prostatic hypertrophy (BPH) tissue, the specificity of [3H] R 1881 binding is different from that measured in rat prostate: progesterone and R 5020 (17, 21-dimethyl-19-nor-4, 9-pregnadiene-3, 20-dione) being more potent while 19-nortestosterone is less potent competitor. Moreover, the synthetic progestin [3H] R 5020 binds to BPH tissue with a similar specificity. These data suggest the presence of progestin binding components or of an atypical androgen receptor in human BPH cytosol.     

Estrogen regulation of progestin biosynthetic enzymes in cultured rat granulosa cells

The mechanism by which estrogens enhance gonadotropin-stimulated ovarian progestin production was investigated by studying the modulation of pregnenolone biosynthesis as well as the activities of 3 beta-hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase (3 beta-HSD) and 20 alpha-hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase (20 alpha-HSD) in cultured rat granulosa cells. Cells from immature hypophysectomized, estrogen-treated rats were cultured for 3 days with follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH) and/or estrogens. Pregnenolone production was measured in the presence of cyanoketone which inhibits 3 beta-HSD activity. Activities of 3 beta-HSD and 20 alpha-HSD were determined in cell homogenates by direct enzyme assays. Some cells were also primed with FSH to induce luteinizing hormone (LH) receptors for studies on the effects of estrogens on LH-modulated parameters. Pregnenolone production by cultured granulosa cells was stimulated by FSH, while treatment with diethylstilbestrol (DES) or estradiol further enhanced the gonadotropin action. Treatment with FSH increased 3 beta-HSD activity. Similarly, concomitant treatment with DES further enhanced 3 beta-HSD activity in a dose-dependent manner with an apparent ED50 of 10(-8) M. Also, treatment with estrogens alone increased 3 beta-HSD activity. The increases in enzyme activity induced by estrogen alone or in combination with FSH were not associated with changes in the apparent Km values. FSH also stimulated 20 alpha-HSD activity by 2-fold in these cells, while concomitant treatment with DES did not affect the FSH action. In FSH-primed cells, LH stimulated pregnenolone production while the LH action was enhanced by concomitant treatment with the estrogens. Likewise, LH stimulated the activity of 3 beta-HSD, while concomitant DES treatment further augmented LH action. LH did not stimulate 20 alpha-HSD activity when added alone or in combination with DES. Thus, the estrogen enhancement of the gonadotropin-stimulated progesterone production in cultured rat granulosa cells is associated with increases in pregnenolone biosynthesis and the activity of the 3 beta-HSD enzyme, without affecting the 20 alpha-HSD activity.     

Effect of high-density lipoproteins with varying ratios of apolipoprotein A-I to apolipoprotein A-II on steroidogenesis by cultured rat ovary granulosa cells

Plasma high-density lipoproteins (HDL) can provide rat ovary steroidogenic tissue with cholesterol for steroid hormone production, but the mechanism of cholesterol transfer is unknown. To test the importance of apolipoprotein A-I (the major HDL apolipoprotein) in HDL-cell interactions, we examined the ability of canine-human HDL hybrids containing various proportions of canine apolipoprotein A-I and human apolipoprotein A-II to stimulate steroidogenesis by cultured rat ovary granulosa cells. We observed that as the apolipoprotein A-II to apolipoprotein A-II ratio decreased, the ability of the hybrid particles to stimulate granulosa cell progestin (progesterone and 20 alpha-dihydroprogesterone) production diminished. However, granulosa cell progestin (progesterone and 20 alpha-dihydroprogesterone) production diminished. However, apolipoprotein A-I was not necessary for cholesterol transfer, since hybrids with less than 5% of their total apolipoprotein mass as apolipoprotein A-I stimulated progestin production 30% as effectively as canine HDL, which contained essentially only apolipoprotein A-I. These data indicate that the delivery of cholesterol from HDL into the rat ovary cell for steroidogenesis is not strictly dependent on the presence of a specific HDL apolipoprotein.     

Serum suppresses the expression of hormonally induced functions in cultured granulosa cells

Growth and function of primary cultures of granulosa cells obtained from immature, hypophysectomized, estrogen-treated rats were compared in serum-containing and serum-free media. In serum-free medium (1:1 mixture of DMEM:F-12) supplemented with insulin, hydrocortisone, transferrin and fibronectin (4F medium), the cells remained healthy and steroidogenically responsive for at least 60 days in culture. The growth profile of the granulosa cells in 4F medium was similar to that obtained in serum-containing medium. In both media cell proliferation did not exceed more than one cell doubling. DMEM:F-12 alone did not support the cell viability. Upon FSH stimulation, the cells produced 25 fold more progestin and estrogen per cell in 4F medium than in medium supplemented with 5% serum. This effect was not directly related to serum proteins which mediate cell adhesion since cells cultured in dishes precoated with serum remained steroidogenically responsive to FSH. Cholera toxin and Bt₂-cAMP readily stimulated progestin production in the presence of serum. The inhibitory effect of serum was not reversed by adding the four factors to serum-containing medium. The factors were essential for the FSH-induced steroidogenesis in serum-free medium. After four days of incubation in 4F medium, the cells showed a transient loss of their ability to produce progestin in response to FSH. In both 4F medium as well as in serum-containing medium, the cells regained their hormonal responsiveness after 35 days in culture. Since the loss of hormonal responsiveness occurred at the same time as growth was initiated in the cultures, it is suggested that the FSH-induced steroidogenesis is negatively controlled by growth-related processes.     

Effects of androgen on progesterone secretion from granulosa cells obtained from antral follicles of rats

The effects of testosterone (T) on the secretion of progesterone (P) by ovarian granulosa cells obtained from immature rats pre-treated with pregnant mare's serum gonadotropin were examined in vitro. T (10 nM-10 microM) enhanced both basal and FSH- or cAMP-stimulated secretion of P in a dose-dependent manner. Furthermore, T augmented FSH-stimulated cAMP production. The biphasic secretory pattern of P induced by continuous superfusion of granulosa cells with FSH was much exaggerated in the cultures supplemented with T. A stimulatory effect of T on secretion of P was observed only in the medium that contained serum. T affected neither the basal nor the FSH-stimulated secretion on 20 alpha-dihydroprogesterone. Androsterone, a non-aromatizable and low-potency androgen, at a similar concentration as T mimicked the effects of T on the secretion of progesterone. These results indicate that androgen stimulates mature granulosa cells to enhance the secretion of P. This androgen action extends either up- or down-stream of cAMP in the process of steroidogenesis.