Effects of leptin on estradiol and progesterone production by human luteinized granulosa cells in vitro / 中华妇产科杂志

ABSTRACT

Objective　To investigate the effects of leptin on steroidogenesis of human luteinized granulosa cell in vitro. Methods　Human luteinized granulosa cells were isolated from follicular fluid obtained during oocyte retrieval of in vitro fertilization-embryo transfer program and were cultured with M199 medium plus various concentration of leptin (0, 10, 30, 100, 300 ng/ml)，human menopausal gonadotropin (hMG, 0, 0.1, 0.2, 0.5, 1, 2, 5, 10 IU/ml) and testosterone 100 μg/ml. For 2 days the media were collected for estradiol and progesterone measurements. Results　Addition of leptin alone did not alter estradiol and progesterone production (P>0.05) by human luteinized granulosa cells. Leptin of 10～30 ng/ml concentrations caused a dose-dependent inhibition of estradiol production (P<0.05) while greater than 0.5 IU/ml of hMG were added. There was no effect of leptin on hMG -stimulated progesterone production (P>0.05). Conclusion　Leptin can directly inhibit hMG-stimulated estradiol production by human luteinized granulosa cells in vitro, but has no effect on progesterone production. Leptin may play an important role in follicle development and luteinization.