The modulatory effect of catecholamines on gonadotropin-stimulated granulosa cell steroid secretion

The physiological role of catecholamines in the regulation of gonadotropin stimulated ovarian steroid secretion is unclear. This study was undertaken to investigate the influence of catecholamines on gonadotropin stimulated cultured human granulosa cells under serum-free conditions. Adrenaline and dopamine had no influence on LH stimulated estradiol production. Noradrenaline, however inhibited it (P < 0.01). FSH response was enhanced by adrenaline and decreased by dopamine and noradrenaline (P < 0.05). Noradrenaline and adrenaline decreased the progesterone stimulating effect of LH (P < 0.01), but dopamine had no influence. Adrenaline treatment enhanced, dopamine and noradrenaline decreased slightly the progesterone production of FSH treated granulosa cells (P < 0.05). The results suggest that catecholamines modulate the stimulating effect of gonadotropins.