Inhibitory Effects of Interleukin-1 on Follicle-Stimulating Hormone Induction of Aromatase Activity, Progesterone Secretion, and Functional Luteinizing Hormone Receptors in Cultures of Porcine Granulosa Cells1

Abstract

Effects of interleukin-1 (IL-1) on FSH-induced differentiation of immature porcine granulosa cells in vitro were examined in short-term (48-h) cultures. IL-1 inhibited FSH induction of aromatase activity and of LH-stimulated cAMP accumulation by granulosa cells. Both these inhibitory actions of IL-1 were concentration-dependent. Significant inhibitory effects were observed with as low as 0.05-0.25 ng/ml of IL-1, with maximal effects at 25 ng/ml. IL-1 also significantly inhibited increases in [125I]iodo-LH binding and progesterone secretion induced by FSH, as well as reducing basal levels of aromatase activity and LH-stimulated cAMP accumulation. Studies on the mechanisms of IL-1 actions on FSH-induced differentiation of immature porcine granulosa cells revealed that IL-1 reduced cAMP accumulation by the cells in response to FSH in a time- and concentration-dependent manner. IL-1 also inhibited induction of aromatase activity and LH-stimulated cAMP accumulation induced by dibutyryl cAMP, suggesting that IL-1 also affects the steps distal to cAMP generation. In contrast, IL-1 had no effect on progesterone secretion induced by dibutyryl cAMP, suggesting that post-cAMP steps of progesterone secretion were unaffected by IL-1.