hCG improves luteal function and promotes progesterone output through the activation of JNK pathway in the luteal granulosa cells of the stimulated IVF cycles.

hCG improves luteal function and promotes progesterone output through the activation of JNK pathway in the luteal granulosa cells of the stimulated IVF cycles. Biol Reprod. 2020 Mar 12;: Authors: Bildik G, Akin N, Esmaeilian Y, Hela F, Yakin K, Onder T, Urman B, Oktem O Abstract Human chorionic gonadotropin (hCG) is a luteotropic hormone that promotes the survival and steroidogenic activity of corpus luteum by acting through LH receptors expressed on luteinized theca and granulosa cells. Therefore, it is used to support luteal phase in IVF cycles in order to improve clinical pregnancy rates and prevent miscarriage. However, the molecular mechanism underlying this action of hCG is not well-characterized. To address this question we designed an in vitro translational research study on the luteal granulosa cells (GCs) obtained from 58 IVF patients. hCG treatment at different concentrations and time points activated JNK pathway and significantly increased its endogenous kinase activity along with up-regulated expression of steroidogenic enzymes (stAR, 3β-HSD) in a dose-dependent manner in the luteal GCs. As a result, in vitro P production of the cells was significantly enhanced after hCG. When JNK pathway was inhibited pharmacologically or knocked-down with siRNA luteal function was compromised, P4 production was declined along with the expression of stAR and 3β-HSD in the cells. Further, hCG treatment after JNK inhibition failed to co...
Source: Reproductive Biology - Category: Reproduction Medicine Authors: Tags: Biol Reprod Source Type: research