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. 2002 Aug;19(8):384–389. doi: 10.1023/A:1016398405248

Effect of In Vivo GnRH Agonist and GnRH Antagonist on hCG and Insulin-Stimulated Progesterone Production by Human Granulosa-Lutein Cells In Vitro

Mohamed F M Mitwally 1,2, Robert F Casper 2,✉
PMCID: PMC3455579  PMID: 12182445

Abstract

Purpose: To investigate hCG and insulin-stimulated progesterone (P) production by human granulosa-lutein cells (hGLC) in vitro.

Methods: hGLCs were isolated from patients undergoing IVF-ET cycles in which GnRH agonist or GnRH antagonist was used to prevent a midcycle gonadotropin surge. The cells were cultured for 3 days, and then treated with hCG 0.5, 1, and 10 IU/I, and insulin 0.01, 0.1, and 1 μM in serum free conditions. In vitro P production was measured by enzyme immunoassay.

Results: hCG stimulated P production by hGLCs from cycles in which GnRH antagonist was used, but a blunted response was seen in GnRH-agonist treated cycles. Insulin-stimulated P production was similar in cells from cycles in which GnRH-agonist or GnRH-antagonist treatment was used.

Conclusions: Because insulin and hCG may share common pathways beyond the level of receptor activation, we hypothesize that GnRH agonist, but not GnRH antagonist, may affect the expression and/or activation of LH receptors in the hGLCs.

Keywords: GnRH agonist, GnRH antagonist, granulosa cells, progesterone

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