Microcarrier culture: A different approach to granulosa cell cultivation.

Granulosa cells (GC) are steroid secreting and hormone responsive cells synthesizing increased amounts of progesterone (P(4)) under the influence of gonadotropins. Up to now these cells have been cultivated as monolayers. However, in this system, cells dedifferentiate early and cease to respond to stimulation. GC are a good model for studying hormonal regulation of ovarian cell function. In this study, microcarrier culture was tested for the first time to see whether it would be a good system in which GC would grow and give a stronger responsivity to gonadotropins. Cells were grown in stationary culture on microcarriers Cytodex 3 (C3) coated with collagen and on pure gelatin beads. Only C3 cultures were successful. Cells proliferated better on C3 microcarriers and on day 4 of culture secreted more P(4) under the influence of FSH and LH than comparative monolayer cultures.