Catecholestrogens stimulate progestin secretion by cultured porcine granulosa cells

The enzymatic metabolism of estradiol (E2) to the catecholestrogens, 2-hydroxyestradiol (2-OH-E2) and 4-hydroxyestradiol (4-OH-E2) in granulosa cells has been reported. Therefore, we evaluated the effects of these compounds and compared them to those of E2 on porcine granulosa cells cultured in serum-free medium. Cultures of granulosa cells were exposed to various treatments of E2, 2-OH-E2, 4-OH-E2 and(or) follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH) for 4 days and concentrations of progesterone in medium and cell numbers were determined. After 4 days of treatment, 2-OH-E2 and 4-OH-E2 stimulated basal progesterone production by granulosa cells, but 4-OH-E2 was less effective than 2-OH-E2. 2-OH-E2 (1 microgram/ml) stimulated progesterone production by 3.3 +/- 0.6-fold (n = 6 experiments), whereas E2 (1 microgram/ml) stimulated progesterone production 9.9 +/- 1.7-fold (n = 6 experiments). 2-OH-E2 at 4 micrograms/ml further stimulated progesterone production to 10.7 +/- 2.2-fold above controls (n = 9 experiments), whereas 4 micrograms/ml of E2 did not cause further stimulation of progesterone production. Thus, the average potency of 2-OH-E2 was less than E2. Concurrent treatment with 2-OH-E2 (4 micrograms/ml) and saturating concentrations of E2 resulted in further significant increases in progesterone production above the effects of either single treatment both in the absence and presence of FSH (200 ng/ml).(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)