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A Tissue Culture Model of Estrogen-producing Primary Bovine Granulosa Cells
Published on: September 6, 2018
Melatonin receptor mRNA expression in human granulosa cells
1Department of Biomedical Sciences, McMaster University, Faculty of Health Sciences, Hamilton, Ontario, Canada. niles@fhs.csu.mcmaster.ca
Molecular and Cellular Endocrinology
|December 28, 1999
Summary
Human granulosa cells possess melatonin receptors, specifically the mt1 subtype, suggesting melatonin
Area of Science:
- Reproductive Endocrinology
- Molecular Endocrinology
- Cell Biology
Background:
- Melatonin is a hormone with known receptor interactions.
- Human granulosa (HG) cells are crucial for ovarian function.
- Previous studies indicated melatonin binding sites on HG cell membranes.
Purpose of the Study:
- To confirm the presence of melatonin receptors in human granulosa cells.
- To identify which melatonin receptor subtypes are expressed in HG cells.
- To investigate the potential role of melatonin in human reproduction.
Main Methods:
- Reverse transcriptase-polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) was employed.
- HG cell samples from 14 patients were analyzed.
- DNA sequencing was used to confirm PCR product identity.
Main Results:
- The mt1 (Mel1alpha) melatonin receptor subtype mRNA was detected in ten HG cell samples.
- MT2 (Mel1b) receptor mRNA was found in only two HG samples.
- Sequencing confirmed the identity of the mt1 PCR product.
Conclusions:
- Human granulosa cells express melatonin receptors, predominantly the mt1 subtype.
- The presence of melatonin receptors suggests a role for melatonin in human ovarian function.
- Melatonin may be involved in regulating human reproductive processes.

