TOXICITY OF METHOXYACETIC ACID IN CULTURED HUMAN LUTEAL CELLS

Ethylene glycol monomethyl ether (EGME) and its proximate metabolite, 2-methoxyacetic acid (MAA), increase ovarian luteal cell progesterone production in the female rat in vivo and in cultured rat luteal cells in vitro, respectively. In order to better assess the potential hazard of EGME and MAA to women, these studies were conducted to determine w hether the same concentrations of MAA increase progesterone in human l uteinized granulosa cells as in rat luteal cells. Human cells were col lected from healthy anonymous oocyte donors, washed, plated 25,000 via ble cells per well, and treated with 10 IU hCG and 0-5 mM MAA for 6-48 hr, Progesterone in media was significantly elevated after 24 hr incu bation at greater than or equal to 1 mM MAA. MAA had no effect on ATP levels at 6 or 24 hr, Thus, MAA increased progesterone production in c ultured human luteal cells at the same concentration as MAA increased progesterone in rat luteal cells, The implication is that EGME has the potential to alter ovarian luteal function in women, These data shoul d be useful for determining the real health hazards and potential risk s of EGME exposure. (C) 1997 Society of Toxicology.