In Vitro Analysis of FSH- and LH-Induced Alterations in Progesterone Levels in Human Granulosa–Theca Cells

Neslihan Coskun Akcay; Ali Can Gunes; Selim Zirh; Gurkan Bozdag; Sezcan Mumusoglu; Oytun Portakal Akcin; Sevda Fatma Muftuoglu; Lale Karakoc Sokmensuer

doi:10.18621/eurj.1789711

In Vitro Analysis of FSH- and LH-Induced Alterations in Progesterone Levels in Human Granulosa–Theca Cells

Abstract

Objectives: This study aimed to evaluate whether administration of luteinizing hormone (LH) before the ovulation trigger could modulate elevated progesterone levels.

Methods: Human granulosa-theca tissues were obtained from 15 women aged 18–38 years undergoing laparoscopic ovarian cystectomy at the Department of Gynecology and Obstetrics, Hacettepe University. The tissues were cultured in vitro and treated with 12.5 mIU/mL recombinant follicle-stimulating hormone (r-FSH; Group A), 18.75 mIU/mL r-FSH (Group B), or 18.75 mIU/mL r-FSH plus 6.25 mIU/mL recombinant LH (r-LH; Group C). Baseline and post-treatment estradiol (E2) and progesterone concentrations were measured at 0, 24, and 48 hours. Immunofluorescence staining for aromatase, cytochrome P450, and Ki67 was performed to assess steroidogenic activity and cellular proliferation.

Results: A mild trend toward reduced progesterone and increased E2 levels was observed following LH supplementation at both time points; however, these changes did not reach statistically significant. No statistically significante differences were observed in progesterone or E2 levels among the treatment groups at 24 h (P=0.891 and P=0.805, respectively) or 48 h (P=0.878 and P=0.505, respectively). Expression levels of aromatase, cytochrome P450, and Ki67 did not differ significantly between groups at 24 h (P=0.665, P=0.932 and P=0.953, respectively) or 48 h (P=0.911, P=0.674 and P=0.202, respectively).

Conclusions: These findings suggest that although r-LH addition to high-dose r-FSH does not significantly alter progesterone synthesis, it may exert a subtle regulatory effect on steroidogenesis. Larger studies with extended culture durations are needed to further elucidate the biological and clinical significance of these observations.

Keywords

Supporting Institution

This study supported by Scientific Researches Project Unit at Hacettepe University

Project Number

Grant number TSA-2019-18032

Ethical Statement

This study was approved by the Hacettepe University Non-Interventional Clinical Research Ethics Committee (Decision No: 2019/13-08-GO 19/439; date: 14.05.2019). All procedures were conducted in accordance with the ethical standards of the institutional and national research committee and with the 1964 Helsinki Declaration and its later amendments. Informed consent was obtained from undergone laparoscopic ovarian cystectomy women that participated in this study.

Thanks

Thanks to Scientific Researches Project Unit at Hacettepe University

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Details

Primary Language

English

Subjects

Obstetrics and Gynaecology

Journal Section

Research Article

Authors

Neslihan Coskun Akcay ^*
0000-0001-7067-7322
Türkiye

Ali Can Gunes
0000-0002-9298-2720
Türkiye

Selim Zirh
0000-0002-7962-6078
Türkiye

Gurkan Bozdag
0000-0002-6679-9623
Türkiye

Sezcan Mumusoglu
0000-0001-7000-7580
Türkiye

Oytun Portakal Akcin
0000-0002-6507-1227
Türkiye

Sevda Fatma Muftuoglu
0000-0003-0664-0204
Türkiye

Lale Karakoc Sokmensuer
0000-0002-7202-0305
Türkiye

Early Pub Date

January 8, 2026

Publication Date

January 8, 2026

Submission Date

October 3, 2025

Acceptance Date

November 21, 2025

Published in Issue

Year 2026 Number: Advanced Online Publication

DOI

https://doi.org/10.18621/eurj.1789711

IZ

https://izlik.org/JA92JB33FJ

Cite

RIS / Bibtex

AMA

1.Coskun Akcay N, Gunes AC, Zirh S, et al. In Vitro Analysis of FSH- and LH-Induced Alterations in Progesterone Levels in Human Granulosa–Theca Cells. Eur Res J. 2026;(Advanced Online Publication):1-10. doi:10.18621/eurj.1789711