INCREASED PRODUCTION AND RELEASE OF PROSTAGLANDIN-E(2) BY HUMAN GRANULOSA-CELLS FROM POLYCYSTIC OVARIES

This study was conducted to compare the levels of prostaglandin E2 (PG E2) released by cultured granulosa cells collected from normally-ovula ting women (normal cells, NC) and those with polycystic ovaries (polyc ystic ovary granulosa cells, POGC). Granulosa cells were collected fro m 7 normal women and 7 anovulatory women with polycystic ovaries. Both groups underwent laparoscopic oocyte retrieval for gamete intra-fallo pian transfer. Cell cultures were carried out under basal conditions a nd in the presence of various substances known to influence PGE2 biosy nthesis. Prostaglandin E2 concentrations in the incubation media were taken as a marker of cyclo-oxygenase activity. Unexpectedly, POGC appe ared to release greater amounts of PGE2 compared to the NC. There was no difference between the levels of PGE2 produced by the two types of cells during the first 3 hours after cell explants, whereas a differen ce (P<0.01) was observed after 24 and 48 hours of incubation. Interleu kin-1 beta enhanced PGE2 secretion (P<0.01) in both POGC and NC, while lipopolysaccharide increased prostaglandin release only by the NC cel ls. Indomethacin inhibited PGE2 production to a greater extent in POGC (from -70 to -90% with respect to basal release, P<0.01) than NC (app roximately -50%, P<0.01). Blockade by indomethacin and the weak inhibi tory effect of the glucocorticoid, dexamethasone (P<0.05 only in NC, a nd only at 24 hours), provided pharmacological evidence that PG produc tion by granulosa cells in vitro might depend primarily on constitutiv e cyclooxygenase activity.