Differential role of protein kinase C in the action of luteinizing hormone-releasing hormone on hormone production in rat ovarian cells.

This study was undertaken to determine the involvement of arachidonic acid and protein kinase C in the actions of luteinizing hormone-releasing hormone on steroid and prostaglandin formation in the ovary. In primary culture of rat granulosa cells, treatment with 3 x 10(-7) mol/L melittin stimulates progesterone and prostaglandin E2 accumulation after a 5-hour culture period. Concomitant treatment of the cells with melittin and luteinizing hormone-releasing hormone or 12-0-tetradecanoylphorbol 13-acetate further enhances the stimulatory action of either luteinizing hormone-releasing hormone or 12-0-tetradecanoylphorbol 13-acetate by itself on prostaglandin E2 production. In contrast, no synergistic effects are observed on progesterone production by the same treatments. Treatment with luteinizing hormone-releasing hormone for 24 hours significantly decreases follicle-stimulating hormone-induced progesterone production by approximately 50%. Treatment of the cells with either follicle-stimulating hormone or luteinizing hormone-releasing hormone stimulates prostaglandin E2 production at least tenfold in the same cultures. When follicle-stimulating hormone and luteinizing hormone-releasing hormone are present concomitantly, they synergistically enhance prostaglandin E2 formation (p less than 0.01). Similar effects are observed with the phorbol ester, 12-0-tetradecanoylphorbol 13-acetate, which causes a dose-dependent inhibition of progesterone production by follicle-stimulating hormone whereas follicle-stimulating hormone-stimulated prostaglandin E2 formation is enhanced. Thus luteinizing hormone-releasing hormone-induced activation of protein kinase C may play multiple roles (stimulatory or inhibitory) in hormone production in the ovary.