Effect of hCG, cAMP and FSH on steroidogenesis by human corpora lutea in vitro

Abstract

Human corpora lutea of various ages were minced and incubated in the presence of hCG [human chorionic gonadotropin] (10 IU/ml), cAMP (10 mM) or FSH (20 mu/ml) and production of progesterone and estradiol was measured. cAMP and hCG stimulated progesterone and estradiol production during at least the mid- and late luteal phases, but FSH stimulated only estradiol production during the early and mid-luteal phases and had no effect on progesterone production. Progesterone and estradiol synthesis by the human corpus luteum evidently can be independently controlled.