Progesterone production in cultured human granulosa cells: correlation with follicular fluid hormone levels.

STUDY

OBJECTIVE

To examine the progesterone (P) production by cultured granulosa cells and the hormonal content in the follicular fluid (FF) of ovarian-hyperstimulated women.

DESIGN

Retrospective.

SETTING

Private Fertility Clinic and National Research Institute.

PATIENTS: Eighteen patients undergoing in vitro fertilization or gamete intrafallopian transfer programs.

RESULTS

Progesterone levels Measured in the culture medium of granulosa cells decreased sixfold with culture time. Human luteinizing hormone (LH) increased P production only when basal P production was less than 1 microgram/mL. Granulosa cell P production in culture was negatively correlated with FF LH-human chorionic gonadotropin (hCG) levels. Follicular fluid follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH) levels were positively correlated with FF P and 17 beta-estradiol (E2) concentrations. Similar results were found between FF LH (hCG) and E2 levels, but there was no relationship between FF LH (hCG) and FF P values.

CONCLUSION

The high dose of hCG administered during gonadotropin treatment could induce a decrease in the in vitro granulosa cell P production.