Inhibition by gonadotropins of interleukin-1 production by rabbit granulosa and theca cells: Effects on gonadotropin-induced progesterone production

Abstract

Increasing evidence suggests that cytokines may play a role in ovarian processes. The purpose of this study was to determine if interleukin-1 (IL- 1) could modulate rabbit pre-ovulatory follicular function and to explore cellular sites of IL-1 biosynthesis in rabbit follicles. Development of rabbit pre-ovulatory follicles was induced by 200 mH equine chorionic gonadotropin daily for 2 days. Seventy-two hours after the last injection, ovaries were excised and granulosa and theea cells isolated. The two types of cell were pre-incubated for 24 h in Minimum Essential Medium (MEM) with 5% fetal calf serum (FCS), and then incubated for 24 h in MEM with 2.5% FCS with appropriate stimulants. Results showed that rabbit granulosa and theea cell culture supernatants contain IL-1 bioactivity and that this bio activity was diminished by gonadotropins. FSH and human chorionic gonadotropin, in a dose- dependent manner. Low doses of IL-1 (1 ng/ml) inhibited gonadotropin-induced progesterone production in both cell types and at the same time increased cell numbers. A study of the mechanism of IL-I action demonstrated that it affects eAMP generation, and also steps distal to cAMP formation. We conclude that in our model gonadotropins, by inhibiting IL-1 production, could control IL-1 modulation of gonadotropin action on steroidogenesis.