Effect of the ratio of follicle-stimulating hormone to luteinizing hormone on rat granulosa cell proliferation and oestradiol-17 beta secretion.

The present study examined the effects of the ratio of follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH) to luteinizing hormone (LH) on granulosa cell proliferation and oestradiol-17 beta secretion. For these studies, ovarian segments from either immature rats or those primed with pregnant mares serum gonadotrophin (PMSG) were incubated for 5 h with 3H]thymidine and FSH (0-100 mIU/ml) with or without equivalent doses of LH. After incubation, granulosa cells were isolated and their mitotic activity estimated by determining the amount of 3H]thymidine incorporated into the DNA. The amount of oestradiol secreted into the media was measured by radioimmunoassay. Compared to granulosa cells from immature ovaries, granulosa cells from PMSG-primed ovaries required significantly less FSH to stimulate incorporation of 3H]thymidine, had a 9-fold higher basal level of oestradiol production and increased oestradiol secretion in response to gonadotrophins. At pharmacological serum levels (10-20 mIU of total gonadotrophin), FSH:LH ratios of less than or equal to 2 increased oestradiol secretion from PMSG-primed ovaries but did not increase the rate of 3H]thymidine incorporation. Conversely, FSH:LH ratios of greater than or equal to 3 stimulated 3H]thymidine incorporation without altering oestradiol secretion. These data demonstrate that granulosa cells of immature follicles not secreting oestradiol are relatively unresponsive to gonadotrophins at any dose tested. Once the capacity for oestradiol secretion develops, then both the dose and ratio of FSH and LH play major roles in determining whether the follicle will grow or secrete oestradiol.