Sandostatin has no direct effect on ovarian steroidogenesis in vitro

Rat granulosa and theca-interstitial cells from immature, oestradiol-treated rats were isolated and incubated for 144 h with follicle stimulating hormone (FSH), luteinizing hormone (LH), insulin alone or in combinations, and with two doses of sandostatin (10(-7) M and 10(-6) M per culture). Oestradiol and testosterone production by granulosa and theca-interstitial cells, respectively, was measured in culture media. The stimulatory effects of FSH alone and FSH with insulin but not insulin alone on oestradiol production by granulosa cells were observed. Similarly, increased testosterone concentrations after treatment with LH alone and LH with insulin but not insulin alone were found in media from theca-interstitial cells. The addition of high or low doses of sandostatin to the cultures did not affect the production of oestradiol or testosterone. It was concluded that sandostatin does not exert any direct effect on ovarian steroidogenesis in vitro.