Effects of α and β recombinant FSH (Gonal-F, Puregon) and progesterone upon human endometrial cell proliferation in-vitro: a preliminary study.

Endometrial proliferation or regeneration during menstrual cycle is regulated by sexual hormones. However, the effect of gonadotrophins on the endometrial cell growth remains obscure. Herein, we aimed to investigate the effects of r-FSH (Gonal-F, Puregon) and progesterone on the proliferation of human endometrial cells in-vitro. According as gonadotrophin concentrations, the follicular-phase endometrial cells were divided into six groups: (1) 0 (controls), (2) 1; (3) 10; (4) 100; (5) 1000; (6) 100,000 μIU/ml. The cell countings with microscopy and cell proliferation kit assay were used to assess the endometrial cell proliferations. In Gonal-F groups, the cell absorptions (%) after 24/48 h culture were: (1) 100/100; (2) 103.8/102.3; (3) 104.8/102.8; (4) 102.3/101.3; (5) 96.3/94.2; (6) 86.8/84.3. In Puregon groups, the cell absorptions were: (1) 100/100; (2) 102.8/101.9; (3) 103/102.3; (4) 103.9/103.5; (5) 102.9/102.4; (6) 103.7/103.2 (non-different). In progesterone groups, the cell absorptions were: (1) 100/100; (2) 99.1/101.9; (3) 83.5/80.4; (4) 80.7/82.4. Higher dosage of Gonal-F (100,000 μIU/ml) and progesterone (10, 100 μg/ml) appeared the significant inhibition upon endometrium. We conclude that lower dosages of Gonal-F, Puregon, and progesterone appear the non-significant influence upon endometrium. Higher dosage of Gonal-F (10,000 μIU/ml) and progesterone (10, 100 μg/ml), but not Puregon, might interfere with the endometrial proliferation during follicular phase.