GOSSYPOL INHIBITS AROMATASE-ACTIVITY IN CULTURED PORCINE GRANULOSA-CELLS

The present study investigated whether gossypol inhibited aromatase ac tivity in cultured porcine granulosa cells. Aromatase activity was ass ayed by measuring H-3-H(2)0 released from [1 beta-H-3]-androstenedione . First, immature porcine granulosa cells were cultured with various d oses of follicle stimulating hormone (FSH, 1 to 1000 ng/ml) for 1 to 5 d to determine optimal culture conditions for aromatase activity assa y. Second, porcine granulosa cells were cultured with or without FSH i n the presence or absence of gossypol. Gossypol, at 4 mu M, significan tly inhibited FSH-induced aromatase activity while showing no effect o n basal aromatase activity. Gossypol did not inhibit cell proliferatio n during cell culture. These results suggest that gossypol inhibits ar omatase activity by interfering with FSH induction of aromatase in cul tured porcine granulosa cells.