Effects of chondroitin-4-sulphate on ultrastructure of ovarian granulosa cells

Abstract

Granulosa cells from medium sized porcine ovarian follicles exhibit inhibition of progesterone secretion after both 3 and 6 days of incubation in the presence of 2 mg chondroitin-4-sulphate (C-4-S)/ml. After 3 days of incubation some relatively small and undifferentiated granulosa cells are present in the above cultures. Six days following initiation of incubation in the presence of 2 mg C-4-S/ml many of the larger granulosa cells taken from medium sized follicles reveal lysis and/or resorption of material (probably lipoprotein) from their originally dense staining bodies as well as other indications of stress and degeneration.