Progesterone production by dispersed cells from human corpus luteum: stimulation by gonadotrophins and prostaglandin F 2 alpha; lack of response to adrenaline and isoprenaline

hCG, five independent molecules

INTRODUCTION

The hCG amino acid sequence supports 5 glycoproteins. All are called hCG forms. This review examines all 5 molecules, the hormone as produced by the placental syncytiotrophoblast cells, the sulfated hormone produced by the pituitary gonadotrope cells, the hyperglycosylated hCG autocrine made by placental cytotrophoblast cells, and the autocrine cancer promoters hyperglycosylated hCG, hCGß and hyperglycosylated hCGß as made by all malignancies. This review examines all the molecules and multiple proven functions, ranging from evolution to cancer promotion to hormone action.

RESULTS AND DISCUSSION

hCG forms are critical super-growth factors in humans, with an exceptional wide range of functions.

Prostaglandin F2alpha potentiates the calcium dependent activation of mitochondrial metabolism in luteal cells

Cytoplasmic Ca2+ signals are transferred to the mitochondria and activate the Krebs cycle. We have compared the efficiency of this process for two Ca2+ mobilising agonists, PGF2alpha and ATP (acting at metabotropic P2 receptors) in rat luteal cells. [Ca2+]c, [Ca2+]m and mitochondrial NAD(P)H were monitored by means of microspectrofluorimetry and confocal microscopy. While both agonists caused similar elevations of [Ca2+]c, changes in NAD(P)H were larger in response to PGF2alpha than to ATP. PGF2alpha more effectively increased NAD(P)H level also in mouse luteal cells. PGF2alpha caused a faster rate of rise of NAD(P)H fluorescence than ATP when reoxidation was prevented with rotenone, suggesting a faster rate of NAD(P)+ reduction. The NAD(P)H response to both agonists was dependent on the mobilisation of stored Ca2+. We found no difference in the efficacy of transmission of the [Ca2+]c signal to mitochondria in response to PGF2alpha and ATP. Raising [Ca2+]c with ionomycin increased the NAD(P)H signal, which was further raised by PGF2alpha but not by ATP. These data suggest that PGF2alpha potentiates the Ca2+-induced stimulation of mitochondrial metabolism by a Ca2+-independent mechanism and shows that agonists may modulate mitochondrial function differentially through a novel process beyond the simple transfer of Ca2+ from ER to mitochondria.

The production of progesterone and 5,6-epoxyeicosatrienoic acid by human granulosa cells

Previous investigations have implicated epoxygenase metabolites of arachidonic acid in the control of steroidogenesis in luteinised granulosa cells. The aim of this study was to assess this hypothesis further. We first determined the responsiveness of the cells in vitro to three different stimuli, namely luteinising hormone (LH), interleukin-1beta (IL-1beta), and dibutyryl cyclic AMP (db. cyclic AMP). Their effects were time-dependent, in that progesterone production from cells incubated for 3 days prior to stimulation responded strongly to db. cyclic AMP, to a lesser extent to LH and not to IL-1beta. After 6 days of preincubation, all three stimuli increased progesterone production, and this preincubation period was used in the remainder of the study.LH and IL-1beta increased the intracellular levels of 5,6-epoxyeicosatrienoic acid (5,6-EpETrE) maximally after 10 min, whereas db. cyclic AMP had a more rapid effect within 2-5 min. There were no changes in levels of 14,15-epoxyeicosatrienoic acid (14,15-EpETrE), indicating that the effect was specific. Levels of dihydroxy derivatives of arachidonic acid were also increased, suggesting rapid metabolism of 5,6-EpETrE to inactive 5,6-DiHETrE. The effects of 5,6-EpETrE on progesterone production were transient, which may be due to the lability of this compound in solution, and limited passage into the granulosa-luteal cell cytoplasm. These results support a role for 5,6-EpETrE in the production of progesterone by human granulosa-luteal cells.

Release of norepinephrine from human ovary: coupling to steroidogenic response

We investigated the possibility that norepinephrine from the human ovary is released after nerve stimulation and that this neurotransmitter is coupled to a steroidogenic response. Biologically significant levels of both norepinephrine and dopamine were found in human ovarian biopsies. [3H]norepinephrine incorporated in vitro was readily released by electrical stimulation in a Ca2+-dependent process. Ovarian membrane preparations exhibited specific binding sites for the beta-adrenergic antagonist [3H]dihydroalprenolol. Displacement of [3H]dihydroalprenolol with zinterol (a specific beta2-agonist) indicated that 72% of these sites were type beta2-receptors. beta-receptors were also present on granulosa cells. Stimulation of granulosa cells with luteinizing hormone or the beta-agonist isoproterenol increased the release of progesterone after 4 d in culture. These results suggest that the sympathetic nerves present in human ovary are coupled to beta-adrenergic receptors present in endocrine cells and, as in nonprimate mammals, appear to participate in the regulation of ovarian function.

Stepwise activation of the gonadotropic signal transduction pathway, and the ability of prostaglandin F2alpha to inhibit this activated pathway

Through selective activation of the gonadotropic signal transduction pathway, we have determined the probable site of the antigonadotropic effects of prostaglandin F2alpha (PGF2alpha) in the human granulosa-luteal cell (hGLC). The gonadotropic signal transduction pathway was activated at the level of the receptor (luteinizing hormone and beta-adrenergic), stimulatory G protein (Gs), adenylate cyclase (AC), and protein kinase A (PKA) by human chorionic gonadotropin (hCG) and isoproterenol (Iso), cholera toxin (CTX), forskolin, and dibutryl cAMP (Db cAMP), respectively. Concomitantly, the ability of PGF2alpha to inhibit progesterone production in response to the activation of this cascade at these different levels was examined. hGLCs were obtained from in vitro fertilization patients and were precultured for 8 d in Medium 199 supplemented with fetal bovine serum (M199; 10% FBS). Following the preculture period, cells were treated with either vehicle or one of the above activators of the gonadotropic pathway, either in the absence or presence of PGF2alpha (in M199; No FBS). Following the treatment period, media were collected and assayed for progesterone by RIA. Prostaglandin F2alpha (10(-6) M) significantly inhibited hCG (1 IU/mL), Iso (10(-5) M), CTX (1 microg/mL), and forskolin- (10(-5) M) stimulated progesterone production. Conversely, PGF2alpha did not inhibit progesterone production stimulated by a saturating concentration of Db cAMP (10(-6) M). The ability of PGF2alpha to inhibit hCG- or CTX-stimulated progesterone production was attenuated by pertussis toxin (PTX; 50 ng/mL). In conclusion, through a pertussis toxin-sensitive G protein, PGF2alpha inhibits progesterone production at a level below AC, and above the activation of PKA by cAMP.

The regulation of progesterone and hCG production from placental cells by interleukin-1beta

We have investigated the roles of interleukin-1beta as a regulator of progesterone and chorionic gonadotrophin production from human placental cells. In primary placental cells IL-1beta increased hCG synthesis through a cyclic AMP-independent pathway, and was without effect on progesterone or cyclic AMP production. Since dibutyryl cyclic AMP increased progesterone production, this suggests that there is no coupling between the IL-1beta receptor and the adenylate cyclase enzyme in these cells. Immortalised trophoblast cells responded to IL-1beta by increasing progesterone production through a cyclic AMP-dependent mechanism, but hCG production by these cells was unaffected by IL-1beta or dibutyryl cyclic AMP. Further studies are needed to identify the role of IL-1beta as a possible regulator of progesterone production in primary placental cells. While hCG production in first-trimester trophoblast was increased by dibutyryl cyclic AMP and IL-1beta, both these effects may involve other factors such as IL-6, and their second messenger systems.

In vitro microdialysis of baboon corpus luteum: effects of oxytocin on total and pulsatile progesterone secretion

Baboon corpora lutea (two each from the early, mid- and late luteal phases) were individually microretrodialyzed in vitro for 48 h, 12 h initial baseline, 12 h retrodialysis with OT (9 mU/h), 12 h without OT and 12 h with cAMP (5 mmol/h). Progesterone (P) was measured by a sensitive and specific radioimmunoassay in 10-min fractions of retrodialysates and analyzed for P peaks by PC-pulsar 3.0. Neither OT nor cAMP had any effect on the characteristics of P pulses. In early and late luteal phase CL, OT inhibited P secretion within 1 h of administration followed by increased P secretion late during OT perfusion. In midluteal phase, OT did not affect P secretion. In all CL, P secretion was sustained or further increased during the 12 h after stopping OT. cAMP also sustained baseline or stimulated P secretion. In contrast, OT either increased total P output/12 h (28 to 49% above baseline) with a further increase of 21% to 296% above baseline after stopping OT, or inhibited total P output by 4% to 13% percent with a further decline of 51% to 61% after stopping OT. Thus, while overall OT is luteotropic, its dual effect (initial inhibition followed by stimulation) suggests direct and indirect effects through paracrine-autocrine mechanisms.

Prostaglandin F2 alpha stimulates progesterone secretion by porcine luteal cells in vitro throughout the estrous cycle

In this study we examined the stimulatory effects of PGF2 alpha on progesterone secretion by porcine luteal cells on different days of the estrous cycle, and the effects of PGF2 alpha, A23187 and PMA on progesterone secretion by isolated large and small luteal cells, in vitro. Corpora lutea were obtained from cycling pigs (days 6-16), collagenase dispersed and luteal cells incubated in medium 199 in the absence or presence of increasing doses of PGF2 alpha, A23187, and PMA. Progesterone concentrations in spent media were measured by RIA. PGF2 alpha stimulation of progesterone secretion by mixed luteal cells did not vary significantly throughout the estrous cycle. Progesterone secretion by large, but not small, luteal cells was increased (p < 0.05) in a dose-dependent fashion by PGF2 alpha. A23187 also caused a dose-dependent increase in progesterone secretion by large luteal cells but inhibited small luteal cells. Progesterone secretion by both large and small luteal cells was significantly increased by increasing doses of PMA. We conclude that the stimulatory response of luteal cells to PGF2 alpha in vitro did not correlate with PGF2 alpha receptor concentrations (not measured in this study), and we speculate that calcium/protein kinase C may be involved in mediating the stimulatory action of PGF2 alpha on luteal cell progesterone secretion.

Effects of oestrogen on progesterone synthesis and arachidonic acid metabolism in human luteal cells

OBJECTIVE

Locally produced oestrogens and prostaglandins (PGs) are implicated in the regulation of luteal lifespan in the human ovary. This study (1) assesses direct effects of these factors on progesterone synthesis in isolated luteal cells, and (2) explores interactions between luteal age and treatment with gonadotrophin or oestrogen on the metabolism of arachidonic acid (prostaglandin precursor) by steroidogenic luteal cells in vitro.

DESIGN

Primary monolayer cultures of human luteal cells obtained at different stages of the luteal phase were used to investigate the effect of oestradiol, catechol oestrogens (2- and 4-hydroxyoestradiol), diethylstilboestrol, PGE2 and PGF2 alpha on basal and human chorionic gonadotrophin (hCG) stimulated progesterone production in vitro. The role of PGs as modulators of luteal cell function was further investigated by studying the metabolic fate of radioactively labelled arachidonic acid in hormone treated (oestradiol and hCG) and control cultures, assessed by high performance liquid chromatography.

PATIENTS

Corpora lutea were enucleated from nine women with regular ovulatory cycles undergoing microsurgical reversal of tubal sterilization. Granulosa cell aspirates were obtained from three patients undergoing in-vitro fertilization treatment.

RESULTS

PGE2 and PGF2 alpha at various concentrations did not have a consistent effect, whereas oestradiol, diethylstilboestrol (and 2-hydroxyoestradiol in early luteal cell cultures) significantly inhibited basal and hCG stimulated progesterone biosynthesis. Evidence for direct inhibition of 3 beta-hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase enzymic activity by oestradiol was obtained. Both major metabolic pathways of arachidonic acid (lipoxygenase and cyclo-oxygenase) were operative in steroidogenic luteal cells recovered throughout the luteal phase. The ratio of PGE2 to PGF2 alpha synthesis in vitro by human luteal cells from endogenously incorporated arachidonic acid did not change significantly with corpus luteum age, with PGE2 tending to predominate. Oestradiol treatment shifted arachidonic acid metabolism from the lipoxygenase towards the cyclooxygenase pathway in cells isolated from ageing corpora lutea.

CONCLUSIONS

Oestradiol, at relatively high concentrations, is a potent inhibitor of basal and hCG induced luteal cell steroidogenesis in vitro. No support is provided for the concept that luteolysis is mediated by local production of PGF2 alpha. The putative luteolytic effect of oestradiol may entail reduced metabolism of arachidonic acid to lipoxygenase derived products by luteal cells rather than direct stimulation of prostaglandin production by itself.

Mode of action of prostaglandin F2 alpha in human luteinized granulosa cells: role of protein kinase C

It is well documented that prostaglandin F2 alpha (PGF2 alpha) inhibits progesterone production in luteal cells, but its mode of action is uncertain. It has recently been suggested that PGF2 alpha acts by activating the calcium and phospholipid-dependent protein kinase, protein kinase C (PKC). This hypothesis has been tested by comparing the site and mode of action of PGF2 alpha, a PGF2 alpha analogue (cloprostenol) and the PKC activator phorbol myristate acetate (4 beta PMA) in human granulosa-lutein cells. PGF2 alpha and cloprostenol exerted similar concentration-dependent inhibitory actions on gonadotrophin-stimulated cyclic AMP (cAMP) accumulation and progesterone production by human granulosa-lutein cells. The similarity in the actions of PGF2 alpha and cloprostenol in human granulosa-lutein cells suggests that they can be used interchangeably to study the role of PGF2 alpha in the regulation of steroidogenesis in the human ovary. Gonadotrophin-stimulated cAMP accumulation and progesterone production was also concentration-dependently inhibited by 4 beta PMA. In addition, cloprostenol and 4 beta PMA also inhibited dibutyryl cAMP-stimulated progesterone production, suggesting that these compounds inhibit LH action at sites before and after the generation of cAMP. The pre-cAMP site of action can be localised to the stimulatory G-protein (Gs) as both compounds inhibited cholera toxin-stimulated cAMP accumulation without affecting forskolin-stimulated cAMP accumulation. The post cAMP site of action can be localised to actions on cholesterol side chain cleavage enzyme, as both cloprostenol and 4 beta PMA inhibited 22R hydroxycholesterol-supported progesterone production without affecting pregnenolone-supported progesterone production. The finding that cloprostenol and 4 beta PMA interact with the steroidogenic cascade in a similar manner is indicative of a shared common mediator of their actions in human granulosa-lutein cells, i.e. PKC. The inhibitory actions of PGF2 alpha and 4 beta PMA on hLH-stimulated progesterone production were abolished in the presence of the PKC inhibitor, staurosporine. In addition, in PKC-depleted cells (achieved by exposure to 4 beta PMA for 20 h) the inhibitory actions of PGF2 alpha and 4 beta PMA were abolished. These results support the hypothesis that the inhibitory actions of PGF2 alpha are mediated by PKC in human granulosa-lutein cells.

The modulatory effect of catecholamines on gonadotropin-stimulated granulosa cell steroid secretion

The physiological role of catecholamines in the regulation of gonadotropin stimulated ovarian steroid secretion is unclear. This study was undertaken to investigate the influence of catecholamines on gonadotropin stimulated cultured human granulosa cells under serum-free conditions. Adrenaline and dopamine had no influence on LH stimulated estradiol production. Noradrenaline, however inhibited it (P < 0.01). FSH response was enhanced by adrenaline and decreased by dopamine and noradrenaline (P < 0.05). Noradrenaline and adrenaline decreased the progesterone stimulating effect of LH (P < 0.01), but dopamine had no influence. Adrenaline treatment enhanced, dopamine and noradrenaline decreased slightly the progesterone production of FSH treated granulosa cells (P < 0.05). The results suggest that catecholamines modulate the stimulating effect of gonadotropins.

Prostaglandin F2 alpha activates protein kinase C in human ovarian cells

Recent studies in several non-primate species have suggested that prostaglandin F2 alpha (PGF2 alpha) inhibits luteal cell progesterone production by activating the calcium and phospholipid-dependent protein kinase, protein kinase C (PKC). This study investigated the presence of PKC in human ovarian cells and assessed the ability of PGF2 alpha and its structural analogue, cloprostenol, to generate inositol polyphosphates and activate PKC. PKC was detected in cultured human granulosa-lutein cells and human luteal cells (from mid-late luteal phase). The major proportion of PKC detected was cytosol-associated in both cell types. Cloprostenol increased the generation of inositol polyphosphates in cultured human granulosa-lutein cells in a dose- and time-dependent manner. In addition both cloprostenol and PGF2 alpha activated PKC (as assessed by redistribution of enzyme activity from a principally cytosol-associated form to a membrane-associated form) in both granulosa-lutein and luteal cells. Short-term exposure of both cell types to phorbol myristate acetate (4 beta-PMA) activated PKC, whilst prolonged exposure of human granulosa-lutein cells to 4 beta-PMA led to a > 85% loss of total PKC activity. The inactive phorbol ester, 4 alpha-PMA, had no effect on PKC activity when exposed to cells for up to 20 h. These results demonstrate the presence of PKC in human ovarian cells and the ability of PGF2 alpha to induce translocation/activation of this kinase.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Acute stimulatory effects of prostaglandin F2 alpha on serum progesterone concentrations in pregnant and pseudopregnant pigs

The objective of this study was to investigate whether PGF2 alpha, administered to pregnant and pseudopregnant gilts in vivo, would cause an acute increase in serum progesterone concentrations prior to luteolysis. Pregnant (n = 9) and pseudopregnant (n = 4) gilts were fitted with a jugular vein cannula on day 40, were treated with 3 ml vehicle (control) i.m. on day 42 and with 15 mg PGF2 alpha on day 45. Blood samples were collected at frequent (5 and 15 min) intervals from 1 h before until 1 h after control and PGF2 alpha injections, at 15 min intervals for 4 h, and then at 5, 6, 9, 21, 33, 45 and 57 h post injection. Progesterone was measured by radioimmunoassay (RIA) in all samples. Porcine LH was measured by RIA in samples collected frequently in the 1 h pre- and 1 h post-injection periods. Serum progesterone concentrations were unchanged in both pregnant and pseudopregnant animals in response to control injection on day 42. However, in both pregnant and pseudopregnant gilts, PGF2 alpha injection on day 45 resulted in an acute increase (approximately 75-80% above pre-treatment levels; p less than 0.05) in serum progesterone lasting approximately 1 h, followed by a return to pre-treatment levels by 2 h, and then a decline to 1 ng/ml or less by 45-57 h (pregnant) or 21-57 h (pseudopregnant), associated with luteolysis. Serum LH concentrations were unchanged between 1 h pre- and post-treatment periods in response to either control or PGF2 alpha-treatment, in both pregnant and pseuodpregnant gilts. These results indicate that PGF2 alpha-injection produces a rapid and transient increase in serum progesterone concentrations which may result from a rapid and direct stimulatory action of PGF2 alpha on porcine luteal cell progesterone synthesis/secretion in vivo.

Effect of human chorionic gonadotropin and prostaglandin F2a on progesterone production by human luteal cells

To determine and compare the direct effects of prostaglandin F2a (PGF2a) and human chorionic gonadotropin (hCG) on luteal cell progesterone production in vitro, 9 human corpora lutea obtained at tubal ligation were minced and treated with collagenase to disaggregate luteal cells. Dispersed luteal cells (80% viable) were incubated in air at 37 degrees C in a shaking water bath for 3 h and total progesterone in the media and cells was determined by radioimmunoassay. Optimum progesterone production was obtained using 25,000 or more cells per incubate and an incubation time of 2-4 h. hCG-stimulated progesterone production increased significantly with 0.01 IU to as high as 100 IU. In the early luteal phase (days 1-5 post ovulation or days 15-20 of the luteal phase), PGF2a (10-1000 ng) significantly inhibited progesterone production but significantly stimulated progesterone production in the mid-luteal phase (days 21-25). PGF2a had no effect on luteal cell progesterone production in the late luteal phase (days 26-30). This age-dependent direct effect of PGF2a on human luteal cell progesterone production in vitro indicates a role for PGF2a in the total intragonadal regulation of progesterone output, possibly through a paracrine or autocrine manner directed towards synchronizing luteal progesterone secretion and endometrial preparation for nidation.

Effect of PGF-2 alpha on progesterone production in swine luteal cells at different stages of the luteal phase

Suspensions of luteal cells were prepared by enzymatic dispersion of pig corpora lutea obtained at specific times during the estrous cycle. Luteal cells from early corpora lutea produced more progesterone (4.73 +/- 0.84 nmol/10(6) cells, day 3) than those from late diestrus (0.73 +/- 0.04 nmol/10(6) cells, day 15); (P less than 0.05). Bovine LH enhanced progesterone production in a dose dependent manner particularly in cells from 9 to 15 day corpora lutea. Also PGF-2 alpha enhanced progesterone output in cells from mid-late corpora lutea. PGF-2 alpha did not exert any antigonadotropic effect since it further increased the progesterone production induced by LH. Luteal cells produced PGF-2 alpha with levels ranging between 1.6 and 2.7 pmol/10(6) cells throughout the whole luteal phase. The cellular content of cAMP was markedly increased by LH (556 +/- 60%) while it was not affected by PGF-2 alpha. Plasma membrane receptors for PGF-2 alpha were not detected in the analyzed tissue.

The effects of adrenergic and cholinergic agents on progesterone production by human corpus luteum in vitro

We investigated the effects of adrenergic and cholinergic agents on human corpus luteum production of progesterone in vitro. Luteinizing hormone (LH) (50 ng/ml), dibutyryl cyclic adenosine monophosphate (Bu2cAMP) (10(-3)M), and prostaglandin E2 (PGE2) (1 microgram/ml) significantly stimulated the production of progesterone in short-term (4-hour) cell suspensions of five early and middle luteal phase corpora lutea. The adrenergic agents isoproterenol, norepinephrine, and epinephrine, and the cholinergic agents acetylcholine and carbachol at concentrations up to 10(-4)M did not alter basal or stimulated production of progesterone. Similarly, in long-term (10-day) monolayer cultures of cells from four corpora lutea, human chorionic gonadotropin (hCG) (50 ng/ml) and PGE2 stimulated, but none of the adrenergic or cholinergic agents altered, the production of progesterone significantly, except for an inhibitory effect of norepinephrine and carbachol in the presence of 17 beta-estradiol (10(-7)M) added to the culture medium. These results differ strikingly from the consistent stimulatory effect of beta-adrenergic agents on the luteal production of progesterone in several animal species.

Effect of prostaglandin E2 alpha on the hCG-stimulated progesterone production by human corpora lutea

The effect of prostaglandin PGF2 alpha on the hCG stimulated and basal progesterone production by human corpora lutea was examined in vitro. hCG (40 i.u./ml) stimulated progesterone formation in corpora lutea of early (days 16-19 of a normal 28 day cycle), mid (days 20-22) and late (days 23-27) luteal phases. This stimulation was inhibited by PGF2 alpha (10 micrograms/ml) in corpora lutea of mid and late luteal phases. PGF2 alpha alone did not show a consistent effect on basal progesterone production. The inhibition of hCG stimulated progesterone production by PGF2 alpha at times corresponding to luteolysis indicates a role for that prostaglandin in the process of luteolysis in the human corpus luteum.

beta-adrenergic agonist induced androgen production during primary culture of mouse Leydig cells

Mouse testicular interstitial cells and Leydig cells prepared by density-gradient centrifugation developed the ability to increase androgen production in response to isoproterenol between 24 and 48 hr of primary culture. Although exposure of the cultures to isoproterenol or cycloheximide inhibited the acquisition of responsiveness to beta-adrenergic stimulation, in vivo treatment with propranolol did not alter the time at which cultures became responsive to isoproterenol. It is concluded that the acquisition of beta-agonist responsiveness during culture is not a recovery from beta-adrenergic desensitization.