R5020 enhances PGE2 stimulated steroidogenesis in cultured rat granulosa cells

Abstract
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.
Keywords:
20-alpha-Dihydroprogesterone/biosynthesis, 3-Hydroxysteroid Dehydrogenases/metabolism, Animals, Cells, Chemical, Cultured, Dinoprostone/pharmacology, Drug Synergism, Female, Follicle Stimulating Hormone/pharmacology, Granulosa Cells/drug effects/metabolism, Progesterone/biosynthesis, Promegestone/pharmacology, Rats, Sprague-Dawley, Stimulation
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