The effect of catecholamines, acetylcholine and histamine on progesterone release by human granulosa cells in a granulosa cell superfusion system.

There are experimental data demonstrating the presence and actions of various neurotransmitters in the ovary, thus supporting the view that they might play a role in intraovarian regulatory mechanisms, although their exact function in the regulation of ovarian hormone secretion is unclear. The objective of the present study was to investigate the direct action of catecholamines, acetylcholine and histamine on progesterone secretion of human granulosa cells in a superfused cell system. Human granulosa cells were isolated from preovulatory follicular fluid using a Percoll gradient centrifugation method. Approximately 2 x 10(6) cells were mixed with Sephadex G-10 and were transferred into two chambers of the superfusion apparatus. The system was perfused with a culture medium and test materials were added to the system at a dose of 100 pmol/ml. The progesterone concentration of samples was measured using an (125)I radioimmunoassay. Administration of epinephrine (adrenaline), norepinephrine (noradrenaline), dopamine and histamine had no effect on progesterone release. However, acetylcholine produced a significant progesterone release, which could be blocked by atropine. The observed effect of acetylcholine on progesterone release of superfused human granulosa cells may reflect a physiological role of acetylcholine in the regulation of granulosa cell function during the menstrual cycle.