Effect of heparin binding gonadotropin inhibitory factor from the rat submandibular gland on estrogen production in ovarian granulosa cells

We have investigated the effects of a gonadotropin inhibitory factor found in submandibular glands on estradiol-17 beta (E-2) production in a primary culture of rat ovarian granulosa cells. We partially purified the factor by heparin-agarose affinity chromatography. The granulosa cells were cultured with SMG extract/column eluate in the presence of follicle stimulating hor mone (FSH), and the inhibitory effect was assessed by the level of E-2 in t he culture medium. Eluate from heparin-agarose column inhibited FSH-stimula ted E-2 secretion from the granulosa cells, while the extract itself had no effect on E-2 secretion when the cells were cultured without FSH. SMG cont ains heparin binding soluble factor (> 30 kDa), which affects E-2 productio n by modulating FSH action in the ovarian granulosa cells. Med Sci Res 27:6 01-604 (C) 1999 Lippincott Williams & Wilkins.