Serotonin induces progesterone release from human granulosa cells in a superfused granulosa cell system

The dynamics of the release of progesterone (P) by human granulosa cells (GCs) was investigated in a granulosa cell-superfusion system using serotonin (5-HT), propranolol (PR), or mianserin (MI). Granulosa cells were obtained from 8 women undergoing in-vitro fertilization and embryo transfer. Progesterone was measured using radioimmunoassay. Serotonin (100 pMol) induced P release from human GCs. This effect was specifically blocked by 100 pMol MI whilst 100 pMol PR was ineffective in this condition. The results suggest, that the superfused GC system is suitable for studying the dynamics of steroid secretion by human GCs.