The effect of luteinizing hormone releasing hormone (LHRH) on steroidogenesis by the human luteal tissue

Abstract

The effect of luteinizing hormone releasing hormone (LHRH) on progesterone and estradiol production was studied in human luteal tissue. Tissue slices were incubated in Ham's F-10 medium under an atmosphere of 95% O2: 5% CO2 at 37 degrees C for 4 h. Slices were treated with or without human chorionic gonadotropin (HCG) in the presence or absence of LHRH. HCG stimulated progesterone and estradiol production by human luteal tissue in a time- and dose-related manner. LHRH stimulated the basal progesterone production in five (one early luteal and four mid-luteal) of 17 corpora lutea, and stimulated the basal estradiol production in three (all mid-luteal) of 16 corpora lutea. On the other hand, LHRH inhibited HCG-stimulated progesterone production in four (two early luteal and two mid-luteal) of 22 corpora lutea, and inhibited HCG-stimulated estradiol production in four (one early luteal and three mid-luteal) of 18 corpora lutea. In the acute short-term incubations of human luteal tissue, therefore, LHRH had little effect on basal and HCG-stimulated steroidogenesis. However, in a few corpora lutea taken in the early or mid-luteal phase, LHRH stimulated basal steroidogenesis and inhibited HCG-stimulated steroidogenesis.