PROGESTERONE PRODUCTION IN CULTURED HUMAN GRANULOSA-CELLS - CORRELATION WITH FOLLICULAR-FLUID HORMONE LEVELS

Study Objective: To examine the progesterone (P) production by cultured granulosa cells and the hormonal content in the follicular fluid (FF) of ovarian-hyperstimulated women. Design: Retrospective. Setting: Private Fertility Clinic and National Research Institute. Patients: Eighteen patients undergoing in vitro fertilization or gamete intrafallopian transfer programs. Results: Progesterone levels measured in the culture medium of granulosa cells decreased sixfold with culture time. Human luteinizing hormone (LH) increased P production only when basal P production was < 1-mu-g/mL. Granulosa cell P production in culture was negatively correlated with FF LH-human chorionic gonadotropin (hCG) levels. Follicular fluid follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH) levels were positively correlated with FF P and 17-beta-estradiol (E2) concentrations. Similar results were found between FF LH(hCG) and E2 levels, but there was no relationship between FF LH(hCG) and FF P values. Conclusion: The high dose of hCG administered during gonadotropin treatment could induce a decrease in the in vitro granulosa cell P production.