Gossypol inhibits aromatase activity in cultured porcine granulosa cells

The present study investigated whether gossypol inhibited aromatase activity in cultured porcine granulosa cells. Aromatase activity was assayed by measuring (3)H-H(2)O released from [1beta-(3)H]-androstenedione. First, immature porcine granulosa cells were cultured with various doses of follicle stimulating hormone (FSH, 1 to 1000 ng/ml) for 1 to 5 d to determine optimal culture conditions for aromatase activity assay. Second, porcine granulosa cells were cultured with or without FSH in the presence or absence of gossypol. Gossypol, at 4 muM, significantly inhibited FSH-induced aromatase activity while showing no effect on basal aromatase activity. Gossypol did not inhibit cell proliferation during cell culture. These results suggest that gossypol inhibits aromatase activity by interfering with FSH induction of aromatase in cultured porcine granulosa cells.