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Modulating effect of leptin on basal and follicle stimulating hormone stimulated steroidogenesis in cultured human lutein granulosa cells

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Abstract

Background: In vitro data have shown conflicting results in terms of the effect of leptin on granulosa cells steroidogenesis. Aim: The aim of the present study was to investigate the effect of low and high doses of leptin on basal and FSH-induced steroids secretion by human luteinized granulosa cells in culture. Materials and methods: Granulosa cells were obtained from normal women undergoing in vitro fertilization (IVF) treatment and were cultured in serum-free conditions for 72 h. A one-way analysis of variance design was set to study the effect of leptin on basal and FSH-induced steroidogenesis. Results: Leptin affected basal estradiol and progesterone secretion in a dose-related manner. In particular, leptin at low concentrations stimulated the secretion of estradiol (1 and 10 ng/ml) and progesterone (10 ng/ml), while at a high concentration (100 ng/ml) it suppressed the secretion of both steroids. A dose-related effect of leptin on FSH-induced steroidogenesis was not evident, since only the suppressive effect of the high concentration of leptin (100 ng/ml) reached statistical significance for both steroids. Conclusions: These results demonstrate that leptin affects the secretion of steroids in luteinized granulosa cells in a dose-dependent manner. Although a physiological role for leptin is possible, it is suggested that this protein is a mediator of negative rather than positive influential interactions on ovarian function that may compromise fertility.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of OB and GYN,Medical School, University of Thessalia, 22 Papakyriazi str., 41222, Larissa, Greece

    M. Karamouti, A. Kallitsaris & I. E. Messinis

  2. Department of Biology, Medical School, University of Thessalia, Larissa

    P. Kollia & N. Vamvakopoulos

  3. Department of Biological Chemistry, University of Loannina, Loannina, Greece

    G. Kollios

Authors
  1. M. Karamouti
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  2. P. Kollia
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  3. A. Kallitsaris
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  4. N. Vamvakopoulos
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  5. G. Kollios
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  6. I. E. Messinis
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Correspondence to I. E. Messinis.

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Karamouti, M., Kollia, P., Kallitsaris, A. et al. Modulating effect of leptin on basal and follicle stimulating hormone stimulated steroidogenesis in cultured human lutein granulosa cells. J Endocrinol Invest 32, 415–419 (2009). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF03346478

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