Myometrial cells in primary culture: characterization and hormonal profile.

A method for primary culture of ovine myometrial cells is described. After dissection, myometrium of ewe uteri was digested in trypsin and collagenase. The cells were preplated for 1 h at 37 degrees C. The non-attached cells were grown in appropriate medium supplemented with 2% fetal calf serum. They had a doubling time of 3 days, reached confluency at 10 days and did not exhibit contact inhibition. Cultures were maintained up to 22 days. Characterization of the cells was achieved by electron microscopy, analysis of myosin in cell extracts and assessment of hormone sensitivity. The cells were found to contain myofilaments, characteristic of smooth muscle. A high content of myosin (6--13%) was demonstrated on SDS-polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis: this was confirmed by ATPase activity assay. Cells responded to estradiol stimulation by increased protein synthesis, and bound [3H]estradiol in a specific and saturable way. These results suggest that myometrial cells grown in primary culture should provide a useful model for studying the hormonal control of contractile protein synthesis.