STEROID-HORMONE EFFECTS ON THE PROLIFERATION OF HUMAN OVARIAN SURFACEEPITHELIUM IN-VITRO

OBJECTIVE: The histologically bland-appearing epithelium of the human ovary is responsible for approximately 90% of ovarian cancers. Capital izing on our ability to propagate this tissue in vitro, we have begun to characterize the steroid hormone responsiveness of the human ovaria n surface epithelium. STUDY DESIGN: Primary cultures of the human ovar ian surface epithelium are characterized as normal epithelium on the b asis of morphologic features, normal karyotype, and immunohistochemist ry demonstrating AE1/AE3 cytokeratin positivity and factor VIII negati vity. Estrogen and progestin receptors were quantitatively analyzed wi th a standard receptor-ligand binding assay. Cellular proliferation in response to 1 x 10(-7) mol/L 17 beta-estradiol, progesterone, dihydro testosterone, and dexamethasone were assessed by means of cell counts and a tetrazolium-based colorimetric assay. RESULTS: Scatchard analyse s identified 8.8 x 10(3) estrogen receptors per cell in the premenopau sal human ovarian surface epithelium cells, whereas the postmenopausal cells were negative for estrogen receptors. A total of 3.2 to 13.0 x 10(3) progestin receptors per cell was identified, with variable proge stin receptor expression in the postmenopausal cells. No significant e ffect on cell growth could be demonstrated as a result of any of the s teroid hormones investigated under the study conditions. CONCLUSIONS: Expression of estrogen and progestin receptors in human ovarian surfac e epithelium cells may be related to menopausal status. Steroid hormon es, however, did not influence cell proliferation under these experime ntal conditions.