Effect of noradrenaline and dopamine on progesterone and estradiol secretion of human granulosa cells

The aim of this study was to explore the direct action of noradrenaline and dopamine on progesterone and estradiol secretion of human granulosa cells cultured in serum-free medium. Progesterone and estradiol production was measured in the presence and absence of noradrenaline, dopamine or propranolol using radioimmunoassays; statistical analysis was performed by analysis of variance and Newman-Keul's multiple range test. Twenty-six women aged 31±3 years undergoing in vitro fertilization and embryo transfer for infertility treatment at University Women's Hospital, University of Tübingen, Germany, took part in this study. Noradrenaline significantly inhibited progesterone production by human granulosa cells in a dose-related manner at a concentration of 10−4–10−6mol/l. Dopamine significantly stimulated estradiol secretion by granulosa cells in an inverse dose-related manner. Both effects were blocked by propranolol. The results suggest that catecholaminergic actions switch over the steroid production of human granulosa cells cultured in serum-free medium from progesterone to estradiol.