LβT2 gonadotroph cells secrete follicle stimulating hormone (FSH) in response to activin A

Abstract

Secretion of luteinizing hormone in response to gonadotropin releasing hormone (GnRH) has been described in the recently developed LβT2 gonadotroph cell line. We evaluated the expression of follicle stimulating hormone (FSH)β mRNA and secretion of FSH from LβT2 cells in response to GnRH and activin A. LβT2 cells were treated with activin A in doses from 0 to 50 ng/ml, with or without a daily 10 nM GnRH pulse, or with GnRH alone. FSH secretion was stimulated over 6-fold by concomitant GnRH and activin A in a dose-responsive fashion at 72 h of treatment. FSHβ mRNA was detectable by ribonuclease protection assay only in cells treated with activin A with or without GnRH. The demonstration of FSHβ gene expression in LβT2 cells further validates these cells as mature, differentiated gonadotrophs and as an important tool for the study of gonadotroph physiology.