The influence of oxytocin, vasopressin and their analogues on progesterone and testosterone production by porcine granulosa cells in vitro

Abstract

Effects of nonapeptide hormones and some of their chemical analogues on progesterone and testosterone production by culture of porcine granulosa cells have been investigated. Oxytocin (0.01-10 IU/ml), arginine-8-vasopressin (0.01-10 micrograms/ml), arginine-8-vasotocin (0.01-10 micrograms/ml) and, in a lesser degree, 2-0-methyl-tyrosine (deamino-1-karba)-oxytocin (0.01-10 micrograms/ml, but no 1-deamino-8-vasopressin (0.01-10 micrograms/ml) stimulated a progesterone surge. Testosterone production was significantly stimulated by oxytocin and inhibited by vasopressin or vasotocin additions. 2-0-methyl-tyrosine (deamino-1-karba)-oxytocin or 1-deamino-8-vasopressin had little or no effect on testosterone secretion. The present results suggest the existence of a direct influence of nonapeptide hormones on porcine ovarian progestagen and androgen production.