A practical approach to the management of thyroid dysfunction during pregnancy

Pregnancy has an important impact on the thyroid gland and its function. Thyroid activity changes as a consequence of the novel physiological state of pregnancy and requires a complex hormonal and metabolic adaptation, which is possible only in the presence of a perfectly functioning thyroid gland. In fact, thyroid function is crucial for the success of the implantation and the progression of pregnancy. Abnormal thyroid function is very common among childbearing age women, explaining the high incidence of thyroid diseases that occur during pregnancy. Aim of this work is to analyze the adaptive events that characterize the thyroid function during pregnancy, exploring their hormonal, metabolic and molecular mechanisms. Moreover, the interpretation of the laboratory data necessary to monitor the thyroid functioning during normal pregnancy or in the presence of thyroid abnormalities will be discussed.

Explorative genetic association study of GSTT2B copy number variant in complex disease risks

BACKGROUND

Glutathione S-transferases (GSTs) are the main phase II enzymes involved in cellular detoxification. Through phase I and phase II detoxification reactions, the cell is able to detoxify endogenous and exogenous toxic compounds.

AIMS

This study focused attention on the GSTT2B copy number variant (CNV) in order to explore its involvement in the genetic pre-disposition to asthma, Alzheimer's disease (AD), allergic rhinitis (AR), essential hypertension (EH), hypothyroidism and recurrent miscarriage (RM).

METHODS

The study population consists of 1225 individuals divided into six case-control groups. The genotyping of the GSTT2B CNV was performed by using a duplex-PCR. Odds Ratios (ORs) were calculated, adjusting for the confounding variables, to estimate the association between GSTT2B CNV and the disease status.

RESULTS

The χ(2)-test and ORs did not show any association between this genetic marker and pathological phenotypes.

CONCLUSION

The data highlights that GSTT2B CNV is not associated with the investigated complex diseases in Italian patients. However, further investigations are necessary to replicate these findings in larger sample sizes and to explore other health-related phenotypes.

Hypertension in pregnancy and endothelial activation: An emerging risk factor for cardiovascular disease

OBJECTIVE

There is emerging evidence suggesting that women who develop hypertensive disorders of pregnancy should be considered at risk for cardiovascular disease (CVD). Our objective was to determine whether persistent endothelial activation, which represents the earliest step in atherogenesis, is present after delivery in women with a history of hypertensive pregnancies compared to women with normal pregnancies.

STUDY DESIGN

Two matched case-control studies were conducted. In the first study, endothelial activation was assessed by the measurement of soluble intercellular adhesion molecules, namely, intercellular adhesion molecules-1 (ICAM-1), vascular cellular adhesion molecules-1 (V-CAM-1), E-selectin and P-selectin in 25 women with hypertensive pregnancies and in a matched control group with an uncomplicated pregnancy one month and three months after delivery. In the second study, adhesion molecules were measured in 20 patients with a history of HELLP syndrome several years after pregnancy and in 20 matched controls.

RESULTS

Increased levels of soluble adhesion molecules were found in women with hypertensive complications compared to women with uncomplicated pregnancies shortly after delivery. Significant differences were still present, several years after delivery comparing levels of adhesion molecules in women with a history of HELLP syndrome with those found in control patients.

CONCLUSIONS

Patients with hypertensive pregnancies showed an abnormal activation of the endothelium which persists after pregnancy. This activation was particularly marked in patients experiencing HELLP syndrome. These observations may represent an explanation to the increased risk of CVD later in life in patients experiencing hypertensive pregnancies, especially in women with a history of HELLP syndrome.

Further evidence on the role of thyroid autoimmunity in women with recurrent miscarriage

It has been twenty years since the first paper reporting the association between thyroid antibodies (TAIs) and spontaneous miscarriage was published. Following this observation, several studies have clearly demonstrated an increased prevalence of TAI in patients with recurrent miscarriage (RM). However, the exact mechanism underlying this association remains a matter of debate. The aim of the present study was to evaluate the thyroid function, throughout a specific test, in patient with RM and TAI focusing on the hypothesis that TAI should be an indirect sign of a mild thyroid dysfunction. 46 patients with RM and TAI were included in the study. All patients underwent short TRH stimulation test showing an abnormal response in the vast majority of cases (65%). Normal FT4 and FT3 mean values were found whereas TSH values were in the upper normal range (2.64 ± 1.3 mUI/L). Our data support the hypothesis that in patients with RM the presence of TAI is an indirect sign of a subtle thyroid dysfunction detectable by a specific test. This test give the possibility to identify women with RM in which specific therapeutic approaches could effectively improve the possibility for a successful pregnancy.

Diagnostic evaluation of women experiencing repeated in vitro fertilization failure

OBJECTIVE

The aim of the study was to propose a set of tests to clarify the diagnosis of repeated implantation failure in patients undergoing in vitro fertilization (IVF).

STUDY DESIGN

Fifty-nine patients with at least two unsuccessful IVF attempts were included in the study. Blood samples were evaluated for the presence of underlying thyroid abnormalities, antiphospholipid antibodies (aPL), increased levels of natural killer cells (NK), inherited thrombophilia and mouse embryo assay factor (MEA-f). The same tests were performed on 20 normal fertile control patients.

RESULTS

Seventy-six percent of IVF patients showed at least one abnormal result. This incidence was higher with respect to that found among control patients (45%). The prevalence of thyroid abnormalities, aPL and increased NK level was higher in IVF patients whereas no differences were observed in terms of prevalence of inherited thrombophilias and MEA-f.

CONCLUSIONS

A better understanding of reproductive failure mechanisms should allow an effective diagnostic flow chart and a focused therapeutic option for patients experiencing repeated IVF failure. With this objective in mind, our data provide two important results: thyroid abnormalities, aPL and increased NK levels are more prevalent in women experiencing IVF failure. No evidence was found for an association between inherited thrombophilia and MEA-f and failure to achieve pregnancy after IVF.

Hysteroscopic Metroplasty Improves Gestational Outcome in Women with Recurrent Spontaneous Abortion

STUDY OBJECTIVE

To compare the reproductive outcome in women with recurrent spontaneous abortion (RSA) associated with septate uterus after hysteroscopic metroplasty compared with patients who did not undergo surgery.

DESIGN

Longitudinal evaluation (Canadian Task Force classification II-2).

SETTING

University of Rome, Tor Vergata-affiliated endoscopic unit.

PATIENTS

Forty-eight consecutive women with septate uterus and RSA were enrolled in the study.

INTERVENTIONS

Hysteroscopic metroplasty.

MEASUREMENTS AND MAIN RESULTS

Reproductive outcome in terms of term pregnancy was significantly improved after hysteroscopic metroplasty compared with controls (76% vs. 20%). No differences were found in the prevalence of preterm delivery between groups (4% vs. 5%).

CONCLUSION

Our data suggest that hysteroscopic septum incision can improve pregnancy outcome in patients with RSA associated with septate uterus.

Fluctuations of fatty acid amide hydrolase and anandamide levels during the human ovulatory cycle

Implantation is possible within a defined period of the menstrual cycle, referred to as the 'implantation window'. It is during this critical period that proper dialog can be established between the blastocyst and a receptive endometrium. If for any reason this dialog is not established or is altered, the embryo is aborted. The factors responsible for the interaction between the embryo and the mother at the moment of implantation remain poorly understood. Recent studies indicate that endocannabinoids may contribute to the development of an adequate milieu at the implantation site. Here we show that the levels of anandamide and of its degrading enzyme, the fatty acid amide hydrolase, in peripheral lymphocytes undergo specific variations during the various phases of the human ovulatory cycle. In particular, we found the highest levels of fatty acid amide hydrolase activity and protein content, paralleled by the lowest anandamide concentrations, in the period that temporally coincides with the putative window of implantation in humans. On the other hand, the anandamide-synthesizing phospholipase D, the anandamide membrane transporter and the anandamide-binding cannabinoid receptors of lymphocytes did not change during the menstrual cycle. This study indicates that high fatty acid amide hydrolase activity and low anandamide levels may be among the factors that co-operate in the success of implantation. This would add to our understanding of the pathophysiological and therapeutic implications of the endocannabinoid system in human fertility.

Low fatty acid amide hydrolase and high anandamide levels are associated with failure to achieve an ongoing pregnancy after IVF and embryo transfer

Human reproduction is a rather inefficient process, yet the molecular reasons for this inefficiency remain unknown. IVF and embryo transfer (IVF-embryo transfer) also results in a high frequency of implantation failures and early spontaneous abortions. Here we show that the anandamide (AEA)-degrading enzyme, fatty acid amide hydrolase (FAAH), had significantly lower activity (46 +/- 17 versus 161 +/- 74 pmol/min per mg protein) and protein content (0.10 +/- 0.03 versus 0.23 +/- 0.06 units) in lymphocytes of IVF-embryo transfer patients who failed to achieve an ongoing pregnancy than in those who become pregnant, and this was paralleled by a significant increase in blood AEA (4.0 +/- 2.2 pmol/ml and 0.9 +/- 1.0 pmol/ml respectively). The blood levels of the other endocannabinoid, 2-arachidonoylglycerol, or of the AEA congener, N-palmitoylethanolamine, which are metabolized by enzymes different from FAAH, was not different between the pregnant and nonpregnant women, nor was there any difference in the activity of the AEA membrane transporter or the amounts of cannabinoid receptors in lymphocytes. Taken together with the reported negative effects of AEA on embryo implantation, this study indicates that low FAAH activity and subsequent increased AEA levels in blood might be one of the causes of implantation failure or pregnancy loss, thereby leading to a better understanding of the pathophysiological and therapeutic implications of endocannabinoids in human fertility.

Hysteroscopic findings in 344 women with recurrent spontaneous abortion

STUDY OBJECTIVE

To evaluate the prevalence of different anatomic factors in women with recurrent spontaneous abortion (RSA).

DESIGN

Retrospective analysis over 9 years (Canadian Task Force classification II-2).

SETTING

University hospital-affiliated endoscopic unit.

PATIENTS

Three hundred forty-four consecutive patients with RSA and 922 controls referred for abnormal uterine bleeding.

INTERVENTION

Diagnostic hysteroscopy.

MEASUREMENTS AND MAIN RESULTS

Major and minor uterine mullerian abnormalities (septate, unicornuate uteri) were found significantly more often in women with RSA than in controls (32% vs 6%, p <0.001). The frequency of acquired uterine anomalies (submucous myomas, polyps) was significantly higher in controls (32% vs 9%, p <0.001). No significant differences were observed between groups in frequency of adhesions (4% vs 2%).

CONCLUSION

Major mullerian uterine abnormalities are associated with RSA, and minor uterine anomalies may be correlated with an increased risk of recurrent miscarriage.

Progesterone up-regulates anandamide hydrolase in human lymphocytes: role of cytokines and implications for fertility

Physiological concentrations of progesterone stimulate the activity of the endocannabinoid-degrading enzyme anandamide hydrolase (fatty acid amide hydrolase, FAAH) in human lymphocytes. At the same concentrations, the membrane-impermeant conjugate of progesterone with BSA was ineffective, suggesting that binding to an intracellular receptor was needed for progesterone activity. Stimulation of FAAH occurred through up-regulation of gene expression at transcriptional and translational level, and was partly mediated by the Th2 cytokines. In fact, lymphocyte treatment with IL-4 or with IL-10 had a stimulating effect on FAAH, whereas the Th1 cytokines IL-12 and IFN-gamma reduced the activity and the protein expression of FAAH. Human chorionic gonadotropin or cortisol had no effect on FAAH activity. At variance with FAAH, the lymphocyte anandamide transporter and cannabinoid receptors were not affected by treatment with progesterone or cytokines. Good FAAH substrates such as anandamide and 2-arachidonoylglycerol inhibited the release of leukemia-inhibitory factor from human lymphocytes, but N-palmitoylethanolamine, a poor substrate, did not. A clinical study performed on 100 healthy women showed that a low FAAH activity in lymphocytes correlates with spontaneous abortion, whereas anandamide transporter and cannabinoid receptors in these cells remain unchanged. These results add the endocannabinoids to the hormone-cytokine array involved in the control of human pregnancy.

Pregnancy outcome in recurrent spontaneous abortion associated with antiphospholipid antibodies: a comparative study of intravenous immunoglobulin versus prednisone plus low-dose aspirin

PROBLEM

To compare the use of intravenous immunoglobulins (IVIG) with prednisone plus low-dose aspirin (LDA) in treating pregnant women with a history of recurrent fetal loss having the antiphospholipid antibody (aPL), in terms of live-birth rate and maternal and perinatal morbidity.

METHOD

A prospective, two-centers trial study included 82 recurrent aborters with aPL syndrome. Twenty-nine were treated with prednisone and LDA in one center, 53 received IVIG in the other center. Maternal and fetal outcomes and pregnancy complications were compared between groups.

RESULTS

Live-birth rates were equivalent between groups (78 vs 76%). Mean birth weight was higher in the IVIG group than in the prednisone plus LDA group. In the prednisone- plus LDA-treated patients, gestational hypertension and gestational diabetes were found significantly more often than in the IVIG-treated group (14 vs 5% and 14 vs 5%, respectively).

CONCLUSION

In patients with aPL syndrome, IVIG treatment improved pregnancy outcome, with significantly lower pregnancy complication rates, when compared with prednisone plus LDA therapy.

Relation between decreased anandamide hydrolase concentrations in human lymphocytes and miscarriage

BACKGROUND

Endocannabinoids such as anandamide are thought to have adverse effects on pregnancy and embryonic development. The activity of the degradative enzyme anandamide hydrolase may therefore be crucial for prevention of excessive concentrations of anandamide in the uterus, and thus prevention of pregnancy failure or female infertility. We tested this hypothesis in a preliminary study, and then used the results to find out whether anandamide hydrolase activity could predict miscarriage in a group of pregnant women.

METHODS

We assessed anandamide hydrolase activity in peripheral lymphocytes from 50 healthy, pregnant women at weeks 6-11 of gestation by a specific radiochromatographic method. The expression of the enzyme at the protein level was measured by ELISA with specific polyclonal antibodies. In a further study, we measured anandamide hydrolase concentration in 120 women who were 7-8 weeks pregnant and compared these findings with subsequent pregnancy outcome.

FINDINGS

In the first study, seven of the 50 women had a miscarriage. Anandamide hydrolase activity was lower in the seven women who miscarried than in the 43 who did not (60.43 pmol/min per mg protein [SD 29.34] vs 169.60 pmol/min per mg protein [30.20]; difference 109.17 pmol/min per mg protein [95% CI 26.64-191.70]; p<0.0001 by the Mann-Whitney test). Enzyme activity correlated with enzyme concentration, and a threshold concentration represented by an optical density (after ELISA) of 0.15 absorbance units at 450 nm separated the women who had miscarriages from those who did not. In the second study, 15 women had anandamide hydrolase concentrations below the threshold, and 105 had concentrations at or above the threshold. All 15 women in the low anandamide hydrolase group had miscarriages, compared with one of the 105 women with high concentrations (p<0.0001 by Fisher's exact test).

INTERPRETATION

Decreased anandamide hydrolase activity and expression in peripheral lymphocytes is an early (<8 weeks of gestation) marker of spontaneous abortion, and may prove useful as a diagnostic tool for large-scale, routine monitoring of gestation. Our results also suggest that endocannabinoids might be critical in regulating the lymphocyte-dependent cytokine network associated with human fertility and successful pregnancy.

Mild thyroid abnormalities and recurrent spontaneous abortion: diagnostic and therapeutical approach

PROBLEM

The aim of this study is to evaluate the role of mild thyroid abnormalities in recurrent spontaneous abortion, and to assess the effects of two different therapeutical protocols.

METHOD

A prospective study in the population of recurrent aborters with mild thyroid abnormalities, evaluating the obstetric outcome in 42 patients. Sixteen thyroid autoantibodies positive patients were treated with thyroid replacement therapy, while 11 patients received intravenous immunoglobulins (IVIG). Fifteen patients, characterized by negative antithyroid antibodies, and having underlying thyroid pathology, were treated with thyroid replacement therapy.

RESULTS

Among patients with thyroid antibodies, 6 out of the 11 pregnancies (54.5%) treated with IVIG ended in live birth. In the thyroid supplementation group, 13 out of 16 pregnancies (81.2%) ended in live birth. Only one pregnancy loss occurred among patients with a mild underlying thyroid pathology treated with thyroid replacement therapy.

CONCLUSIONS

Mild thyroid abnormalities are associated with an increased rate of miscarriage. This poor obstetrical prognosis seems to be related to an impaired thyroid adaptation to pregnancy. Thyroid replacement therapy appears to be more effective than IVIG in preventing a new miscarriage.

Effect of anticardiolipin antibodies on prolactin and insulin-like growth factor binding protein-1 production by human decidual cells

PROBLEM

The effect of anticardiolipin antibodies (ACAs) on basal- and growth factor-stimulated prolactin and insulin-like growth factor (IGF) binding protein (BP)-1 production by cultured human decidual cells was investigated.

METHOD OF THE STUDY

Decidual cells were cultured for 24, 48, or 96 hr in medium supplemented with 5% ACA-containing or 5% control serum and increasing concentrations of insulin (1-10 micrograms/mL) or IGF-1 (10-100 ng/mL).

RESULTS

No significant increase in prolactin production was observed after addition of increasing doses of insulin and IGF-I in the presence of ACA-containing serum, while a dose-dependent stimulation was seen with control serum. Time-dependent prolactin accumulation was also reduced when cells were cultured in the former conditions. IGF BP-1 release was not affected by insulin and IGF-I in the presence of both sera. However, lower IGF BP-1 levels and a less pronounced time-dependent accumulation were observed in the presence of ACA-positive serum.

CONCLUSIONS

Our data suggest that ACAs affect cellular transduction mechanisms regulating critical events, such as decidual cell differentiation. These cellular dysfunctions might be relevant in the induction of some obstetric disorders typical of this syndrome.

Antiphospholipid antibodies inhibit prostaglandin release by decidual cells of early pregnancy: possible involvement of extracellular secretory phospholipase A2

OBJECTIVE

To investigate the effect of antiphospholipid antibodies on eicosanoid production by human decidual cells and the in vitro interaction between antiphospholipid antibodies and secretory phospholipase A2.

DESIGN

Cultures of human decidual cells from early pregnancy.

SETTING

All decidual specimens were obtained from the Obstetrics and Gynecology Department of the Catholic University, Rome, Italy.

PATIENT(S)

Patients were undergoing operative laparoscopy for extrauterine pregnancy, with a period of amenorrhea ranging from 6 to 9 weeks.

INTERVENTION(S)

Decidual samples were collected at laparoscopy by routine uterine curettage.

MAIN OUTCOME MEASURE(S)

Decidual cells were incubated with antiphospholipid antibodies, and eicosanoids (prostaglandin [PG] E2, PGF2alpha, and thromboxane B2) were assayed by RIA after 24 hours of culture. In vitro interactions between antiphospholipid antibodies and secretory phospholipase A2 were investigated with use of a modified ELISA for phospholipase A2.

RESULT(S)

Antiphospholipid antibodies reduced eicosanoid release from decidual cells in a dose-dependent fashion. In vitro assays showed that antiphospholipid antibodies bound secretory phospholipase A2 and that a competition occurred between antiphospholipid antibodies and secretory phospholipase A2 for the common substrate cardiolipin.

CONCLUSION(S)

In light of the critical role played by eicosanoids in decidual function, we suggest that an interaction between antiphospholipid antibodies and secretory phospholipase A2 occurring in vivo might impair important cellular communications at the decidual level in the antiphospholipid antibody syndrome.

Further evidence of increased aromatase activity in granulosa luteal cells from polycystic ovary

This study evaluated the effect of atamestane (a competitive inhibitor of P-450 aromatase) on granulosa luteal cells from polycystic and normal ovaries. Treatment with atamestane (10 micromol/l) determined a strong inhibition of basal aromatase activity in both types of cells; however, its effect was markedly more pronounced in granulosa cells from normal ovary than in granulosa cells from polycystic ovaries (PCO; P < 0.01). Concomitant treatment with insulin (25 microg/ml) and increasing doses of atamestane (0.01-10 micromol/l) caused a dose-dependent inhibition of insulin-stimulated aromatase activity, but again with marked differences between the two types of cells. In granulosa cells from PCO, the minimal effective dose of atamestane was 1 micromol/l and it had an EC50 of 2.23 +/- 0.4 micromol/l and a maximal inhibitory effect of 75%; in granulosa cells from normal ovary, the minimal effective dose of atamestane was 0.01 micromol/l, the EC50 was 0.4 +/- 0.07 micromol/l, and the maximal inhibitory effect was 94%. Significant differences were observed between the different cells at all the studied dose points. Reversibility studies showed that resumption of aromatase activity in granulosa cells from PCO is basally greater and more inducible with insulin treatment. This study provides further evidence of an increased in-vitro function of the aromatase complex in granulosa cells from PCO, that could be induced by an altered cellular autoregulation.

The cellular activity of different sized follicles in cycles treated with gonadotrophin-releasing hormone analogue

The activity of granulosa cells derived from different sized follicles surrounding oocytes of apparently comparable maturity was evaluated in hyperstimulated ovaries. Granulosa cells were obtained from women undergoing gamete intra-Fallopian transfer procedures who had been treated with gonadotrophin-releasing hormone analogue and gonadotrophins. Only follicles with oocytes of apparently comparable maturity were considered. Granulosa cells from large and small follicles (> or = 18 and < 15 mm diameter respectively) collected from each patient were cultured separately for up to 48 h in the presence or absence of follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH: 50 ng/ml) or insulin (at varying doses, 0.005-25 mg/ml). We found that aromatase activity was elicited by FSH plus insulin, but not by FSH alone, in granulosa cells from both large and small follicles. Progesterone production was maximal in granulosa cells from large follicles, and in these cells was insensitive to further stimuli, in contrast with those collected from small follicles. Prostaglandin oestradiol was secreted in large amounts by granulosa cells from large follicles. Cyclic adenosine monophosphate (cAMP) concentration did not differ between cells from large and small follicles. Our data demonstrate that there are significant differences in granulosa cells derived from different sized follicles with oocytes of apparently comparable maturity.

Effect of follicular fluid on granulosa luteal cells from polycystic ovary

Recent data suggest that follicular fluid may play an important role in the endocrine balance of polycystic ovary syndrome, probably by acting on the theca-granulosa cell relationship. The aim of this study was to evaluate the effect of steroid-free follicular fluid on steroidal response and cell proliferation of human granulosa luteal cells from polycystic (POGC) and normal ovary (NC). Granulosa cells (from both POGC and NC) were cultured for 48 h with or without increasing dilutions of follicular fluid (FF) obtained from polycystic (FFp) and normo-ovulating (FFc) patients. Both follicular fluids were able to elicit aromatase activity as well as progesterone production and thymidine incorporation. POGC, when incubated with FFp, showed a lower increase of aromatase activity and progesterone production with respect to NC. Furthermore, the proliferation rate was increased by incubation with either follicular fluid, but the increase was less with FFp compared to FFc. Aromatase/[3H]thymidine (A/T) and progesterone/ [3H]thymidine (P/T) ratios could be considered to be representative of the contribution of the single cell unit to steroidogenesis. Using high concentrations of either follicular fluids, POGC showed a higher A/T ratio compared with NC. Moreover, the same treatment strongly decreased P/T ration in POGC, while it was ineffective in NC. Our study show that an abnormal interaction between POGC and their own follicular fluid can be implicated in the pathogenesis of the altered steroidal response in these cells, and that in particular it could affect the proliferation rate.

Increased production and release of prostaglandin-E2 by human granulosa cells from polycystic ovaries

This study was conducted to compare the levels of prostaglandin E2 (PGE2) released by cultured granulosa cells collected from normally-ovulating women (normal cells, NC) and those with polycystic ovaries (polycystic ovary granulosa cells, POGC). Granulosa cells were collected from 7 normal women and 7 anovulatory women with polycystic ovaries. Both groups underwent laparoscopic oocyte retrieval for gamete intra-fallopian transfer. Cell cultures were carried out under basal conditions and in the presence of various substances known to influence PGE2 biosynthesis. Prostaglandin E2 concentrations in the incubation media were taken as a marker of cyclo-oxygenase activity. Unexpectedly, POGC appeared to release greater amounts of PGE2 compared to the NC. There was no difference between the levels of PGE2 produced by the two types of cells during the first 3 hours after cell explants, whereas a difference (P < 0.01) was observed after 24 and 48 hours of incubation. Interleukin-1 beta enhanced PGE2 secretion (P < 0.01) in both POGC and NC, while lipopolysaccharide increased prostaglandin release only by the NC cells. Indomethacin inhibited PGE2 production to a greater extent in POGC (from -70 to -90% with respect to basal release, P < 0.01) than NC (approximately -50%, P < 0.01). Blockade by indomethacin and the weak inhibitory effect of the glucocorticoid, dexamethasone (P < 0.05 only in NC, and only at 24 hours), provided pharmacological evidence that PG production by granulosa cells in vitro might depend primarily on constitutive cyclo-oxygenase activity.

Growth hormone stimulates androsterone synthesis by rat theca-interstitial cells

The aim of this study was to assess the possible role of growth hormone (GH) on androsterone synthesis. This effect was analyzed in theca-interstitial cells obtained from immature female rats. The addition of GH to the cultures significantly stimulated androsterone (A) synthesis in a dose- and time-dependent way and this effect was not due to a cellular number increase. When added to the hCG cultures, GH significantly enhanced androgen production even though it did not synergyze with the chorionic gonadotropin. The addition of antibodies anti-IGF-I to the GH cultures did not modify the growth hormone effect suggesting that GH probably does not require IGF-I to achieve its effect on A production. Finally, no effect of GH on cAMP levels were observed in the cultures at the end of the treatment. Our results demonstrate that GH is able to significantly induce A synthesis by rat theca-interstitial cells. Since the presence of GH and its receptors in the ovary is now well established the present data strongly suggest a potential relevance of GH in reproductive biology.

Somatostatin action on rat ovarian steroidogenesis

To date, very few studies on the effect of somatostatin on female reproductive function have been reported. In our study, we examined the effects of somatostatin on (i) androgen biosynthesis using whole ovarian dispersates, and (ii) aromatase activity and progesterone production using granulosa cells. Whole ovarian dispersates obtained from immature rats were cultured for 96 h in serum-free medium with human chorionic gonadotrophin (HCG; 25 ng/ml) and insulin (10 micrograms/ml) in the presence or absence of an increasing concentration of somatostatin (0.03-3.00 ng/ml). HCG- and insulin-stimulated accumulation of androsterone by these cells was inhibited significantly by somatostatin. Granulosa cells from diethylstilbestrol-treated rats were cultured for 48 h in serum-free medium with follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH; 20 ng/ml) and FSH plus insulin (1 microgram/ml) with or without somatostatin (0.03-3.00 ng/ml). Both aromatase activity and progesterone production stimulated by FSH and FSH plus insulin were significantly inhibited by somatostatin. Somatostatin by itself (1 ng/ml) did not have an effect on any of the evaluated parameters. The action of somatostatin could be immunoneutralized and did not influence the plated viable cell mass. These findings indicate that somatostatin can regulate ovarian steroidogenesis by mediating gonadotrophin and growth factor action on different ovarian cell types.

Effect of gonadotropins, insulin and IGF I on granulosa luteal cells from polycystic ovaries

The aim of this work is to evaluate the gonadotropin and growth factor effects in vitro on steroidal response in human granulosa luteal cells from polycystic ovaries compared with normal granulosa luteal cells in humans. The granulosa cells from polycystic (polycystic ovarian granulosa cells, POGC) and normo-ovulating women (normal cells, NC) were collected in the preovulatory phase after oocyte retrieval during the GIFT program. The cells were cultured serum-free for 24, 48 and 96 h. Estradiol and progesterone production was determined with or without HCG (1-200 ng/ml), FSH (10-300 ng/ml), insulin (1-50 micrograms/ml) and IGF I (1-50 ng/ml) addition. All treatments significantly induced a 2-3 fold estradiol increase at the 48-h and 96-h time points in POGC. The progesterone production was unaffected by HCG, FSH, insulin and IGF I addition, respectively, in POGC, whereas the NC were responsive at the 48-h and 96-h time points. FSH did not stimulate progesterone production in granulosa cells either from polycystic or normovulating subjects. Our findings indicate that POGC are hypersensitive to all substances in terms of estradiol production, whereas they show a reduced capacity of progesterone production with some treatments.